Transparency in Government Spending

[View Printable Adobe Acrobat File] - as of January 14

State, Federal and Local Efforts to Increase Transparency in Government Spending
(Please note: this list will be updated as we receive more information)

Introduction

In 2006, thanks to the leadership of Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Barack Obama D (IL), Congress passed and President Bush signed into law the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (S.2590) which passed House and Senate in September of 2006. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:S.2590 :

The bill creates a free, publicly searchable website for all federal contracts and grants. It requires access to data on all payments of more than $25,000, with exceptions for classified information and federal assistance payments made to individuals. Also excluded are federal employees.

The website www.usaspending.gov went live on December 13, 2007. It can also be accessed at www.federalspending.gov . The website includes several additional features that were not required by law. For example, users can review the level of competition for each contract, as well as submit feedback on a wiki page.

With this first iteration of www.usaspending.gov online, ATR has sent a letter to members of congress urging them to build on this accomplishment and take spending transparency to the next level. Click here for the letter.

The federal effort inspired elected officials at the state level to work to empower taxpayers to become fiscal watchdogs by making expenditures available on the Internet.

Kansas became the first state in 2007 to sign into law comprehensive legislation mandating the creation of a website detailing state expenditure information.

Minnesota quickly followed and Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) signed legislation at the beginning of May. Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry (D) signed legislation on June 5, and Gov. Rick Perry (R) of Texas signed transparency legislation into law on June 15. Hawaii passed similar legislation in 2007, which became law without the governor's signature.

On July 11, 2007 Gov. Matt Blunt (R) of Missouri became created a comprehensive searchable web portal detailing government expenditures via Executive Order. Gov. Mark Sanford (R) of South Carolina issued an executive order to this effect on August 30.

2008 Efforts

Numerous states will be taking action to increase transparency in government spending in 2008.

Beyond the states that are expected to re-launch their efforts from last year (see below), legislation has already been drafted, filed and/or introduced in a number of additional states, among them Utah, Virginia, Ohio, Delaware, New Jersey, Washington and Alaska.

ATR will track these developments and will work to help pass legislation and support executive efforts to this effect. For more information, please visit www.atr.org or contact Sandra Fabry, state government affairs manager at sfabry@atr.org.

- Preliminary List of 2008 State Efforts -

Louisiana:

Utah:

SB 38, sponsored by Sen. Wayne Niederhauser (R-Sandy), mandates the creation a single searchable website for government expenditures.

Specifically, it would apply to all government branches of the state, including departments, colleges and universities as well as counties, cities and school districts with budgets of $1 million or more. It would provide access to public financial information such as monies, funds, accounts, bonds, loans, revenues, and expenditures including those made under a contract with access to the actual contract. The bill furthermore provides for the creation of a Utah Transparency Advisory board, which will be tasked with making sure that private records stay private.

Letter:
ATR letter in support of Sen. Niederhauser's SB 38

Blog post:
Utah to Join States in Push for Greater Transparency in Government Spending

Florida:

HB 181, sponsored by Rep. Gayle Harrell (R-Port St Lucie), would mandate the creation of a website for government expenditures, while at the same time requiring localities to disclose their expenditures online.

Similar companion bill: SB 392 sponsored by Sen. Ronda Storms (R-Brandon)

Letter:
ATR letter in support of Florida spending transparency efforts, submitted as testimony on Wednesday, January 9 before the House Committee on Audit & Performance

Delaware:

SB 184 requires the creation of a searchable budget database website to allow taxpayers to access details of how their tax dollars are being spent.

SB 185 requires the creation and maintenance of a searchable website for contracts entered into by school districts and charter schools.

SB 186 requires each school district and charter school to post its checking account activity (other than payroll checks) on its website. It also requires pay and benefits to be posted by job title at the beginning of each fiscal year.

SB 187 requires each state agency to post its checking account activity (other than payroll checks) on its website. It also requires pay and benefits to be posted by job title at the beginning of each fiscal year.

SB 188 requires information concerning the distributions from the Delaware Strategic Fund to be posted on the Delaware Economic Development Office's website.

Virginia :

 SB 585 , sponsored by Virginia Taxpayer Protection Caucus Chair Ken Cuccinelli would create a searchable budget database for government expenditures with detailed information and links to the actual expenditure document.

Virginia currently has a website for government expenditures at http://datapoint.apa.virginia.gov/ . While that website already goes beyond what many other states are doing to inform constituents about how government spends tax dollars, Sen. Cuccinelli's legislation would provide for a greater level of detail in online disclosure.

Ohio :

HB 420, sponsored by Rep. Tom Brinkman (R-Mount Lookout) would mandate the creation of a website detailing information about state awards including, but not limited to grants and contracts.

It would furthermore require that the office of budget and management shall establish a searchable website for earmarks and would provide for increased transparency in state real property tax management. Agency management standards and performance measures would also be implemented under this bill.

Alaska :

SB 201 , sponsored by Sen. Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage), would require the creation of a searchable website detailing information on state revenues and expenditures higher than $10,000, including, but not limited to, grants and contracts.

 
Kentucky :

HB 105 , sponsored by Rep. Jim DeCesare (R-Bowling Green), would mandate the creation of a single, searchable website containing identifying information about state treasury expenditures and transfers in excess of $5000. This includes, but is not limited to, grants and contracts.

Washington :

SB 6387 , sponsored by Sen. Val Stevens (R-Arlington), would require the creation of a comprehensive single searchable budget database for government expenditures. The database would show the amount received, the funding source and exactly what performance is expected in return. In addition, it would show all state audits of past performance.

New Jersey :

S445 , the Transparency in Government Act sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris), mandates the creation of a website that will disclose comprehensive state revenue and expenditure information, including annual expenditures such as disbursements by state agencies from funds in the state treasury, salaries and wages including compensation paid to individual state employees, contractual services, capital outlays and commodities including amounts paid to individual vendors.

 
South Dakota:

 HB 1233 , sponsored by Rep. Hal Wick (R-Sioux Falls), comprehensive state expenditure information, including disbursements by state agencies from funds in the state treasury, bond debt payments, salaries and wages including compensation paid to individual state employees, contractual services, capital outlays and commodities including amounts paid to individual vendors.

Arizona :

HCR 2040 seeks a constitutional amendment whichwould require the state treasurer and the treasurer of each county, city and town to establish and maintain an official website that contains a database of receipts and expenditures, including bond payments and debt service, compensation of state or local government employees, contractual services and cooperative agreements, commodities and capital outlay.

South Carolina :

In what could complement Gov. Sanford's executive order to create a website for government expenditures, specifically focusing on earmark disclosure. H 4356 / S.896 , the Appropriations Bill Earmark Disclosure Act would require the submission of more detailed information on earmark request forms. It furthermore stipulates that a copy of any earmark request must be published on the General Assembly's website within three business days of filing.

2007 Passed Legislation

Kansas:

HB 2457, the Taxpayer Transparency Act sponsored by Rep. Kasha Kelley (R-Arkansas City), mandates the creation of a website that will disclose comprehensive state revenue and expenditure information, including annual expenditures such as disbursements by state agencies from funds in the state treasury, salaries and wages including compensation paid to individual state employees, contractual services, capital outlays and commodities including amounts paid to individual vendors.

The website will be up and running by March 1, 2008.

Please note that you will no longer be able to access the text of the Taxpayer Transparency Act under HB 2457 on the KS legislature website, since the senate stripped the transparency language and replaced it with unrelated content. For your convenience, you can access it here: http://www.atr.org/content/pdf/2007/sept/ot-ks-trnsp_hb2457.pdf

Hawaii :

HB 122, sponsored by Rep. Marcus Oshiro requires the department of budget and finance to create and maintain a free, single website disclosing relevant information on state grants and contracts. The bill has a $25,000 threshold for disclosure, and before 2009 does not include credit card transactions.

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/Bills/HB122_HD1_.htm

Both houses passed a version of the bill that was agreed on in a conference committee on May 1, 2007. The bill became law without Gov. Linda Lingle's (R) signature.

Oklahoma :

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Brandon Dutcher, vice president for policy at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, immediately after passage of the federal legislation began beating the drum for an Oklahoma spending website modeled after the federal version.

Taxpayer Protection Caucus Chair Sen. Randy Brogdon (R-Owasso) sponsored SB 1 which requires the creation of a website , detailing relevant information on government grants, contracts, subcontracts, tax refunds, rebates or credits, and expenditures from the Constitutional Reserve Fund. The website launched on December 28, 2007 and is accessible at www.openbooks.ok.gov .

http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2007-08bills/SB/SB1_ENGR.RTF

Texas :

HB3430, sponsored by Rep. Mark Strama (D-Austin) passed the legislature unanimously (house vote on 4/30/2007 , senate vote on 5/23/07), and was signed into law by Gov. Perry on June 15, 2007.

HB 3430 mandates the creation of a searchable database for state expenditures including grants and contracts. Taxpayers would be able to access, search, aggregate and download all relevant information free of charge. In addition, each state agency that maintains a generally accessible Internet site, shall include a link on the agency's Internet site to the database.

The bill is a merged version of the following individual bills:

HB42 by Rep. Ken Paxton (R-McKinney) would create a database of all state contracts.

HB640 by Rep. Bryan Hughes (R-Minneola) would require the online posting of expenditures by state agencies.

HB1007 by Rep. Corbin van Arsdale (R-Tomball) would require the online disclosure of state grant information.

Minnesota :

HF 376 sponsored by Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie) initially had no dollar threshold for disclosure and would have required retroactive disclosure of grants and contracts going back to FY2000. http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H0376.0.html&session=ls85

The bill was included in the omnibus state government finance bill which passed the legislature and was sent to Gov. Pawlenty on May 4 th . Gov. Pawlenty only line-item-vetoed two provisions of the omnibus, so that the transparency provision went into effect January 2008. The final version was modified to include a $25,000 minimum threshold for disclosure.

Executive Branch Efforts in 2007

Texas :

Gov. Rick Perry (R) made government spending transparency a component of his “Five-Point Budget Reform Plan” and, at the end of January 2007, proposed requiring all state agencies to publish expenditures online in a clear and consistent format.

To lead by example, the governor has made his office's expenditures available to view online: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/expenditure/

State Comptroller Susan Combs (R) not only posted her office's expenditure information online, but also the information for numerous agencies.

In June, Comptroller Combs expanded disclosure by creating a separate website called “Where the Money Goes” – providing a user-friendly web portal, which was formally launched in October of 2007. http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/expendlist/cashdrill.php

Florida :

On January 3, 2007, Gov. Charlie Crist (R) issued Executive Order 07-01 , creating the “Office of Open Government” charged with “providing the Office of the Governor and each of the executive agencies under his purview with the guidance and tools to serve Florida with integrity and transparency.”

•  Primary functions:
(1) to assure full and expeditious compliance with Florida's open government/public records laws, (2) to provide training to all executive agencies on transparency and accountability.

•  The Office will also have primary responsibility for ensuring that the Office of the Governor complies with public records requests in an expeditious manner.

On June 19, Gov. Crist issued Executive Order Number 07-107 , appointing the nine-member Commission on Open Government to review and evaluate the public's right of access to government meetings and records.

On November 15, the governor issued Executive Order 07-242 , which requires each agency to post on their website an Open Government Bill of Rights to facilitate easier access to public documents and meetings.

Additionally, per Gov. Crist's request, state agency websites will be linking to a website that will facilitate the process of accessing these documents. Gov. Crist subsequently announced a new partnership between the State of Florida and Google Inc.

Missouri :

On July 11, 2007 Gov. Matt Blunt (R) signed Executive Order 7-24 creating the Missouri Accountability Portal (MAP). MAP can be accessed at:  http://mapyourtaxes.mo.gov , and allows taxpayers to search expenditures both by broad categories and by specific businesses and individuals.

Since October 1, 2007, MAP also includes information on tax credits, and since January 1, 2008, taxpayers can access information on state employee salaries on the website.

South Carolina :

On August 30, 2007 Gov. Mark Sanford (R) issued Executive Order 2007-14 , mandating the creation of a single searchable website for state expenditures including, but not limited to, grants, contracts and subcontracts.

Furthermore, each agency is required to establish a searchable website on its own webpage for specific agency expenditures, such as travel, office supplies and contractual expenditures of $100 and over.

Both requirements are to be met no later than March 1, 2008.

Other Executive Efforts in 2007

Nebraska :

On August 27, 2007 State Treasurer Shane Osborn (R) publicly announced his plans to create NebraskaSpending.com: a searchable, public website that will disclose every aspect of state government spending.

Osborn plans to have NebraskaSpending.com up and running for the next legislative session.

New York :

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D) in December launched “Project Sunlight,” a website that provides information on many state government activities, including government contracts and expenditure categories. www.sunlightny.org.

Illinois :

While H.B. 473, the Funding Accountability and Transparency Act did not pass the state legislature in 2007, State Comptroller Dan Hynes (D) in October 2007 unveiled a website that allows taxpayers to track political contributions made by companies that have state contracts.

Taxpayers can go to www.OpenBook.ioc.state.il.us , and enter the name or partial name of the entity that conducts business with the state. The result page will then allow a side by side analysis of the contract and contribution information. The website complements a state contracts database on the comptroller's website and an appropriation inquiries database that allows searches for budget expenditures by certain categories.

2007 Stalled Efforts

Michigan :

HB 5137 introduced August 23, 2007 by Rep. Jack Hoogendyk (R-Kalamazoo). The Management and Budget Act mandates the creation of a website detailing information on expenditures of appropriated or non-appropriated funds by a state agency for state purchases, contracts and subcontracts and grants.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billintroduced/House/pdf/2007-HIB-5137.pdf

Illinois :

Kentucky :

HB 159 sponsored by Reps. Joseph M. Fisher (R-Campbell) and Jim DeCesare (R-Bowling Green), would have created a new section of KRS Chapter 42 to require the development of a Web site to provide public access to most state expenditures. http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/record/07RS/HB159/bill.doc

New Mexico :

HB 554 introduced January 25, 2007 by Rep. Larry A. Larranaga (R-Bernalillo), would have required the Department of Finance and Administration to establish a searchable taxpayer transparency web site that provides the public with information about state revenues and expenditures. http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07%20Regular/bills/house/HB0554.pdf

HB 993 introduced February 7, 2007 by Rep. Kathy A. McCoy (R-Cedar Crest). The bill provides for the taxpayer transparency web site and requires the department of finance and administration to establish a searchable web site that provides the public with information about state revenues and expenditures.

http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07%20Regular/bills/house/HB0993.html

Maryland :

HB 1252 sponsored by Del. Warren Miller (R-Annapolis), would require the department of budget and management to disclose relevant information on state grants and contracts on a searchable website on or by January 1 st , 2008. http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/bills/hb/hb1252f.pdf .

Sen. Alex Mooney (R-Frederick) sponsored the senate version of HB 1252, SB 995. http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/bills/sb/sb0995f.pdf

Florida :

SB 2516 sponsored by Sen. Ronda Storms (R-Brandon), would have required the Dept. of State to create & manage a website disclosing certain spending by state and local governmental entities under certain contracts. Would require access to the text of contracts listed on the website.
http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2007/Senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s2516.pdf

Georgia :

SB 300 sponsored by Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), chairman of the Senate Taxpayer Protection Caucus, and Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville), would have required the Department of Audits and Accounts to provide for the creation and maintenance of a website detailing information on the expenditure of state funds. No dollar threshold for disclosure stipulated.

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/sum/sb300.htm

Colorado :

HB 1164, Rep. Don Marostica's (R-Loveland) Taxpayer Transparency Act, would have created a searchable website for state contracts and grants and the posting of moneys expended within five days of the treasurer receiving the information, was killed in a house committee on February 1 st . http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/87F515E2BD56EC14872572
51007C7C2E?Open&file=1164_01.pdf

North Dakota :

SB 2093 passed the House of Representatives containing an important new passage relating to transparency for government purchase cards:

“The office of management and budget shall develop and operate a searchable web site or on the office's web site provide a link to a searchable web site accessible to the public at no cost to the user which lists, and updates monthly, each purchase made by a state agency through the use of a purchasing card. Each purchase listed must include the recipient of the funds, the amount of the purchase, the agency making the purchase, and any other information required by the office of management and budget.”

The bill did not pass the senate.

http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/60-2007/bill-text/HQPK0300.pdf

Washington :

HB 2342 by Rep. Mark Miloscia ( D-Federal Way ) would have made “state budget information available to the public.” http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2342&year=2007  

Connecticut :

HB 6809, introduced January 23, 2007 by Rep. William Hamzy (R-Plymouth) would have required the Department of Information Technology to create a searchable web site, accessible to the public, to provide information about state grants, contracts, projects and loans. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/TOB/H/2007HB-06809-R00-HB.htm

Tennessee :

HB 943 introduced February 8, 2007 by Rep. Matthew Hill ( R -Jonesborough) . The bill would have required the state and its agencies to make available information to be put on a searchable website, as well as the lost revenue report for the previous fiscal year. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB0943.pdf

SB 1146 introduced February 8, 2007 by Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland). It paralleled H.B. 943. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1146.pdf

SB 1066 sponsored by Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) would have required the department of finance and administration to create a website detailing information on expenditures of state funds. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1066.pdf

HB 915 sponsored by Rep. John Mark Windle (D-Livingston) paralleled S.B. 1066.

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB0915.pdf

Louisiana :

HB 266, sponsored by State Reps. Steve Scalise(R- Metairie) and Dan W. Morrish (R- Jennings) would have mandated the disclosure of detailed information on spending earmarks, and requiring the online posting of this information. HB 266 would have provided for the procedure for submission and review of the information related to proposed amendments to the General Appropriation Bill.

While the bill did not pass both chambers, it passed the house as house resolution, and is now binding for that body.

http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=432944

Federal Spending Transparency Efforts

FederalSpending.gov / USASpending.gov

As a result of the 2006 “Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act,” sponsored by Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Barack Obama (D-IL), federal contracting and grant awards must be posted online. The website required by the act went live on December 13 and can be accessed at www.federalspending.gov ; www.USASPending.gov .

The early launch of the website was made possible thanks to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) partnering with OBM Watch, a watchdog organization which hosts www.fedspending.org . The website for USASpending.gov is based on the software that runs FedSpending.org.

Federal Real Property Database.

OMB's Office of Federal Financial Management is currently compiling a comprehensive database of all real property owned by the federal government. Incredibly, no one agency knows how much property the government owns. www.whitehouse.gov/omb/financial/fia_asset.html .

Earmarks.OMB.gov.

In 2007, the Office of Management and Budget announced that they would make available a public, searchable database of “earmarks” (funds provided by the Congress for projects or programs where the congressional direction--in bill or report language--circumvents the merit-based or competitive allocation process, or specifies the location or recipient, or otherwise curtails the ability of the Executive Branch to properly allocate funds). Through this greater transparency and sunshine, the goal is to cut the number of earmarks in half. http://earmarks.omb.gov

Results.gov.

Each year, federal agencies are evaluated based on several criteria: human capital, competitive sourcing, financial performance, E-governance, and budget/performance integration. A score for each area is assigned (red, yellow, or green). For scores in transition, momentum is tracked. Several agencies have gone to “full green.” www.results.gov

ExpectMore.gov.

This evaluates each spending program of the federal government. A 25-question Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) test is administered. Programs are rated as effective, moderately effective, adequate, ineffective, or results not demonstrated. To date, less than half of the 977 programs tested scored out as effective or moderately effective, demonstrating areas to cut waste, fraud, and abuse. www.expectmore.gov

2007 Local Transparency Efforts

Texas :

HB2560 sponsored by Rep. Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) would have required school districts to post their check registers online.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB2560

Unfortunately, the bill did not pass both chambers, but momentum is building.

Already, a growing number of Texas school districts are posting their check registers online. This is a result of the Texas Education Agency creating a loophole for districts trying to avoid compliance with Gov. Perry's executive order from 2005 requiring that districts earmark 65 cents per dollar for instruction in the classroom. By now, 58 school districts have posted their check registers online. According to the Texas Public Policy Foundation, that accounts for 22% of student enrollment and 21% of spending.

The Texas A&M System in 2007 became the first university in the state to post all expenditures online .

North Dakota :

The North Dakota Policy Council launched “Sunshine on Schools”, a policy paper encouraging North Dakota lawmakers to pass legislation that would require schools to set up a website detailing all expenditures - from operations cost to the “money spent on popcorn kernels that are sold at basketball games.” http://policynd.org/content/SunshineonSchools.pdf

Florida :

During the 2007 legislative session, lawmakers passed local transparency provisions out of the property tax reform conference committee.

The provisions would have:

•  Required local governments to report their expenditures and revenues on the Internet.

•  Required local governments to post the proposed budget, anticipated revenues and other information online by a certain deadline.

•  Required local governments to post their contracts online with certain exceptions and on a staggering scale.

However, the provisions were not part of the final agreement on property tax reform in the special session that ended in June .

King County , WA

Council member Reagan Dunn pushed for “Transparency in Taxation” initiative. The legislation was approved by the council on July 9 th . Starting in April 2008, the County Treasurer will be required to mail courtesy tax breakdown summaries to property owners who do not currently receive property tax statements (more than 45 percent of property owners in King County authorize their mortgage company to pay their property tax payments and never receive a summary statement). The summary will provide a detailed breakdown of taxes and fees levied on their property, including those approved by voters. http://www.metrokc.gov/council/members/dunn/pdf/Tax_Transparency.pdf

Op-Ed by Reagan Dunn in the Seattle Times: “Tell us where our taxes are going” http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003709906_reagandunn17.html

Alexandria , VA

Alexandria Taxpayers United (ATU) has called on the city government to emulate the federal model and create a website detailing city grants and contract information. http://www.atuonline.org/uploads/06_12-19_Grants_and_Contracts_Website_Letter.pdf

Previous Levels of Spending Transparency

Some states have already achieved partial fiscal transparency. Here is a list of what was already in existence in the states prior to the 2007 state legislative session. Included is information on grants, contracts, state employee salaries and other expenditures.

Alaska
Database for state grants given to cities and towns www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CF_Grants.htm

Arizona
SPIRIT eProcurement System,
www.spirit.az.gov

Connecticut
State Contracting Portal, http://www.das.state.ct.us/Purchase/Portal/Portal_Home.asp#Contracts

Illinois
Illinois Contract Database,
http://www.wh1.oic.state.il.us/QuickTake/Contracts/index.cfm
Appropriation Inquiries Database, http://www.wh1.ioc.state.il.us/Expert/Appr/AIControl.cfm?Params=None

Indiana :
Indiana Public Search for Contracts https://hr.gmis.in.gov/psp/paprd/EMPLOYEE/EMPL/h/?tab=PAPP_GUEST

Iowa
Department of Administration Procurement Services Contract Search,
http://das.gse.iowa.gov/procurement/index.html
State Employee Salaries, Legislative Services Agency http://staffweb.legis.state.ia.us/lfb/salbook/

Kansas
Procurement Contracts Listing,
http://www.da.ks.gov/purch/Contracts/Contract.asp

Kentucky
State Employee Salaries, Lexington Herald-Leader database, http://www.heraldleaderonline.com/salary2006/

Louisiana
Louisiana Infrastructure Information Center ,
http://www.prodapp.doa.louisiana.gov/infra/

Maryland
Department of Budget and Management Contract Library,
http://www.dbm.maryland.gov/

Massachusetts
CommPass, Procurement Access and Solitication System,
https://www.ebidsourcing.com/displayPublicContMainMenu.do?doValidateToken=f
alse&menu_id=2.4&org.apache.struts.taglib.html.TOKEN=64bc95fc0597e1a0cebd873
95c0038a0
State Employee Salaries, Boston Herald database, http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/payroll/

Michigan
State Employee Salaries, Lansing State Journal database, http://db.lsj.com/community/dc/som/index.php

Missouri
Office of Administration Contract Public Records Search, http://www.oa.mo.gov/purch/webimaging/Homepage.htm

Nebraska
Public Accounts State And Local Budget Databases (municipalities, counties, and school districts)
http://www.auditors.state.ne.us/index_html?page+content/political_sudivisions.html

New Jersey
State Employee Salaries, Asbury Park Press database, http://php.app.com/employees06/search.php

North Carolina
State Auditor Grant Reporting,
http://www.ncauditor.net/WebProject/

North Dakota
State Procurement Online Agency Center
http://www.nd.gov/spo/agency/contracts/

Ohio
State of Ohio Procurement Website,
http://www.procure.ohio.gov/proc/index.asp

Oregon
State Employee Salaries, Statesman Journal database, http://news.statesmanjournal.com/state/state_salaries.cfm

South Carolina
State Employee Salaries, The State database http://www.thestateonline.com/salaries2006/form.php

Utah
State Cooperative Contract Search,
http://www.purchasing.state.ut.us/main

Vermont
State Employee Salaries, Burlington Free Press database http://miva.burlingtonfreepress.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?SOVWageform.mv

Virginia
Commonwealth Datapoint,
http://datapoint.apa.virginia.gov/
eVA (contracts),
http://dps.dgs.virginia.gov/DPS/contracts/contracts.asp

Washington
Advanced Contract Search, http://www.ga.wa.gov/index.html

West Virginia :
State Agency Grant Awards,
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/SAGA/Agency.cfm
State Employee Salaries, Herald-Dispatch database: http://media.herald-dispatch.com/data_library/wvpay.ph

Wisconsin
Contract Sunshine, http://ethics.state.wi.us/ContractSunshine/ContractSunshineAgentListings.html

ATR Transparency Efforts

ATR has been working on this issue since the beginning of the year. Apart from countless one-on one conversations with state legislators, governors, state constitutional officers and activists –
many of which resulted in the introduction of the above-listed legislation - we have been writing letters and newspaper columns as well as blog entries, hosted conference calls and radio shows on the issue, helped put together a coalition website, and submitted testimony.

Letters and press releases:
2/8/07 Letter to All Governors Urging Them to Follow the Lead of Gov. Perry of Texas and
Daniels of Indiana to bring Transparency into Government Spending
3/13/07 Letter to Governors Urging them to Embrace Transparency in Government Spending
4/16/07 Letter to Florida Legislators Urging them to Embrace Transparency in Government
Spending
4/20/07 Letter to Florida Property Tax Reform Conferees Urging them to Embrace Transparency in Government Spending
3/21/07 Transparency on the March in Tennessee
3/9/07 Oklahoma: Let The Sunshine In: Sen. Randy Brogdon, sponsor of spending transparency legislation, named Friend of the Taxpayer
3/9/07 Kansas: Let The Sunshine In! Rep. Kasha Kelley, sponsor of spending transparency
legislation, named Friend of the Taxpayer
4/12/07 Transparency Trail Blazer in Oklahoma
5/21/07 Letter to Oklahoma Legislators Urging Support for Transparency Legislation
4/26/07 Taxpayer Transparency in Kansas – Track Your Tax Dollars at a Mouse Click
5/24/07 Transparency Trailblazer Sweeps Through Texas
6/05/07 Oklahoma Takes Lead in Fiscal Accountability
6/18/07 Two Cheers for Fiscal Accountability in Texas

Blog Posts-
Let The Sunshine In!
Kansas Transparency Legislation Alive and Kicking
State Spending Transparency Efforts in National Spotlight
"Real Financial Transparency in Albany? That Would be Priceless"
Spending Transparency Efforts in Maryland
Kansas Transparency Legislation Alive and Kicking
Two Cheers for Transparency in North Dakota
The Government Transparency Movement is Growing!
More States Putting Spending on the Internet
Transparency Trailblazer in Oklahoma
Lone Star State Expenditures Exposed
Red Herring Won't Stop Fiscal Transparency in Oklahoma
How much for hot water?
What is the actual cost of education?

Articles-
Wall Street Journal Article by Kimberley Strassel

Column in DC Examiner by Sandra Fabry

Budget & Tax News Article
Pressure Is Building for States to Reveal Spending by Sandra Fabry
Other States Take Up Transparency Measures by Sandra Fabry
States See the Need for Spending Transparency by Sandra Fabry

Testimony
3/20/07 ATR Testimony Regarding Maryland HB 1252, the Maryland Taxpayer Transparency Act
of 2007

Radio

March 29, 2007 - Leave Us Alone Radio Show on Rightalk.com – Grover Norquist hosts State
Senator Randy Brogdon, sponsor of Oklahoma transparency legislation and Brandon Dutcher,
vice president for policy at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

April 25, 2007 – Leave Us Alone Radio Show on Rightalk.com – Grover Norquist hosts State
Representative Kasha Kelley and Senator Tim Huelskamp, who got the Kansas transparency
legislation passed and signed into law this year. Also on the show: Texas State Rep. Bryan
Hughes, sponsor of transparency legislation. Furthermore: Assemblyman Phil Boyle and E. J.
McMahon, director of the Empire Center for New York State Policy, both of whom are working
to get transparency implemented in New York.