Ohio's Checkbook Online??

This content provided courtesy of Politics are Personal. Contact the author at PoliticsArePersonal (AT) Gmail (DOT) Com I received this email this morning and thought you may want to know what Ohio’s Treasurer is working on;

Friend -


Hope all’s well.


I wanted to let you know about a new initiative I’m spearheading…


The idea is to take the state’s checkbook – and put it online.


I’d like to take Ohio’s government expenditures and put them on the internet so citizens can actually see how their tax money is being spent.


When you have a minute, shoot me back an email or give me a ring to let me know your thoughts on this idea.


I believe government is most efficient when we shine sunlight on government spending.  Transparency and accountability make public officials and bureaucrats think twice before wasting our tax money or defrauding our citizens.


In this spirit, I’ve partnered with State Rep. Mike Dovilla on House Bill 175, and I encourage you to call or email your legislators to ask them to support this legislation.


The sooner we can pass this bill, the sooner we can put the state’s checkbook on the web and make Ohio’s government more transparent.


The article below provides a little more background on the legislation.  When you have a moment, please email back and let me know what you think.


Thanks,
Josh
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Plan would put Ohio’s ‘checkbook’ online
By Mark Kovac
The Youngstown Vindicator
A Republican lawmaker and the GOP state treasurer want to post Ohio’s checkbook online, enabling residents to keep tabs on state spending, particularly who receives public funds.

State Rep. Mike Dovilla of Berea, R-7th, said he plans to introduce his “Open Ohio” legislation this week to create an online database detailing all of the state’s expenditures. The site would be maintained by the state treasurer’s office and would provide an easy way for users to search checks issued by name or agency.

“Our taxpayers deserve to know what money is being spent on and where their money is being spent,” Dovilla said. “Our taxpayers deserve to know that we are committed as legislators to advancing efficient effective state government that respects them. Quite simply, our taxpayers deserve better. One of the best ways to accomplish this objective is to allow Ohioans themselves to help us root out government waste, fraud and abuse.”

The proposed database would include the date of each state expenditure, the name of the recipient, the agency that offered the payment and the amount of money involved.

Treasurer Josh Mandel also has created a section of his office’s website that lists public employee salaries. He said the expenditure database would serve as a natural progression and provide greater public access to information about state spending.

“This legislation essentially calls for taking the state’s checkbook and putting in on the Internet,” Mandel said, adding, “The more sunlight we can shine on [government spending], the more efficient government will be.”

A report released earlier this year by the Public Interest Research Group gave Ohio a D-plus grade on budget transparency for failing to provide enough public access to its financial dealings. Ohio PIRG spokeswoman Tabitha Woodruff said the legislation announced Tuesday would likely raise the state’s ranking.

“We are encouraged by efforts to provide Ohioans with checkbook-level state budget transparency,” she said in a released statement. “Ohio can do better in tracking public dollars. Open information about the public purse is crucial for democratic and effective government.”

It is not possible to ensure that government spending decisions are fair and efficient unless information is publicly accessible.”

This content provided courtesy of Politics are Personal. Contact the author at PoliticsArePersonal (AT) Gmail (DOT) Com