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Idaho Freedom Foundation | Policy Brief 2009-03 | Transparency in Government
Summary
New technology is making it possible for ordinary citizens tomonitor the details of government spending, providing new levels of transparency and accountability.However, some government agencies and boards are reluctant to post their expenditures for publicscrutiny. Unfortunately, Idaho fallsbehind other states when it comesto spending transparency.
Introduction
Whether in sound economic times or in direones such as those we’ve experienced recently,every penny spent by government should bespent well. Transparency in government helpsto reassure taxpayers that their money is beingput to good use, enabling them to recognizeand reward excellent government management.On the other hand, if legislators and officialsallocate funds without prudence, transparencyempowers taxpayers to take action.Sometimes called “Google Government,”transparency opens the books of governmentagencies and boards for public review. Wheretransparency exists citizens have less need torely on their local newspaper, a zealousgovernment gadfly or an independent annualaudit to learn how taxpayer money is spent.Instead, the general public can reviewexpenditures and judge for themselves whethergovernment is using tax dollars appropriately.Today, we have the technology required tomake even the most minuscule governmentspending available for public review over theInternet, just one or two mouse clicks away.This is not a new concept. It is not a partisanconcept. Democrats and Republicans alike areutilizing new technology as a means to createunprecedented transparency in government.When transparency characterizes a stategovernment, it fosters three major benefits:
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It allows the public as well asgovernment officials and employees toidentify what might be deemedwasteful spending.
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It helps the public identify and rewardlegislators and officials who spendtaxpayer funds wisely and appropriately.
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It encourages government employeesto think carefully through even thesmallest spending, which results inmore careful and efficient decision-making.
Background
Through state and local websites, governmentsare posting spending data on the Internet. Insome cases, whether it’s an automobile or a boxof pencils, citizens are able to review thesetransactions online and find out when, whereand for how much purchases were made.In January, the Eagle City Council passed aresolution to open its books to Internet review.President Obama has worked on legislation to
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