“We don’t have anybody to do the audit,” Deputy Auditor General Scott Strong said. “We’ve lost a lot of staff over the years … the staff we have right now are committed to other audits.”

Audits might be considered in the future when the state budget is completed and more resources are available, Strong said.

“We go through a risk-assessment process, and based on what resources we have dictates what audits we do,” he said. “I don’t know if we will have additional resources.”

State Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said people should only be using their Bridge Cards for necessities. Jones was part of the push to start the audit.

“I believe that we should never give out cash that is way too subject to abuse,” he said. “It leads to people buying beer, cigarettes, lottery tickets and possibly illegal drugs.”

Advertising senior Lindsay Kwaselow said some students need the assistance provided by the Bridge Cards.

“College kids need it more because they have the least money,” she said. “School is really demanding and a lot of students don’t have jobs.”

State Rep. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, said students putting themselves through school deserve the financial assistance, but not others.

“It’s not right, especially in these times when we have families that are suffering that are legitimately using (Bridge Cards), to have college kids or others abusing,” he said.

It’s important to remember why audits might be important, Schmidt said.

“There is money that is not going to the people that need it most,” he said.

Staff writer Kate Jacobson contributed to this report.