in dexter's first year as premier two significant stories caused controversy for the ndp government and nova scotia's mlas. on february 3, 2010, nova scotia auditor general jacques lapointe released a report stating that many nova scotia politicians had filed expense claims that were "excessive or inappropriate" because of inadequate spending controls that invite errors and misuse. lapointe's report found that politicians had used taxpayers' money to buy items including televisions, cameras and other electronic equipment, custom-made furniture, model boats, and espresso makers. lapointe's report questioned the appropriateness of the spending habits of all three main political parties. dexter himself expensed $7,650 for a pair of laptops and a digital camera, while taxpayers picked up his annual $3,500 professional fee to the nova scotia barrister's society. dexter later rejected a call for a public inquiry into the mla spending scandal, saying that due to the auditor general's report, excessive and inappropriate spending by mlas would be curtailed. dexter promised reforms to the expense system, and the first bill he introduced in the spring of 2010 was an act to establish a management commission for the effective administration of the house of assembly, saying "i promised nova scotians that their demands for an open and transparent system for mla expenses would be met."