Curious what your tax dollars are spent on? You may soon be able to track them.
A movement to bring transparency into government spending is currently gaining steam across the country. Governors and legislatures in a number of states are working to set up websites which would allow taxpayers to see just how much their government is spending, and what their hard-earned tax dollars are spent on.
As Governor Rick Perry of Texas, who is championing transparency efforts in his state, has said: "If the taxpayers are picking up the bill, they ought to be able to look at every item on the receipt."
In Oklahoma, a bill modeled after the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (sponsored by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and signed into law last year) was passed unanimously just a few days ago. Among other things, the website would include relevant information on government grants, contracts, subcontracts, tax refunds, rebates or credits, and expenditures from the Constitutional Reserve Fund. The bill is unlikely to meet major opposition in the house, and, since Governor Brad Henry (D) endorsed the idea in his state of the state speech earlier this year, he is expected to sign it into law. And why shouldn't he? - After all, the concept is supported by 72% of Oklahomans, according to the Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs.
http://www.ocpathink.org/
In Kansas, a bill which would create a website disclosing state and local revenue and expenditure information passed the House of Representatives at an overwhelming margin of 102-20 on February 22nd, but it is now facing scrutiny in the State Senate. If you live in Kansas, you may want to contact your senator and let him or her know that you support the "Taxpayer Transparency Act." You can type in your address here, and will be able to see who your state senator is: http://capwiz.com/atr/state/main/?state=KS&view=myofficials. By clicking on his or her name, you will get the relevant contact information.
Other states are also working on the issue. Americans for Tax Reform has put together a memo on efforts to shine a light on government spending across the country. You will findthe memo and more information on the issue here:http://www.atr.org/.
