Wednesday, July 30, 2008

A Move Toward Transparency and Accountability?

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act) requires a single searchable website, accessible by the public for free. Welcome to www.USAspending.gov, a relaunch of www.FederalSpending.gov, that provides citizens with easy access to government contract, grant and other award data. This is a real site with real information.

I sent an email to my state representative in Indianapolis, Rep. Clyde Kersey, suggesting that this be implemented at the state level. Wonder of wonders, his legislative assistant responded!
She wrote:
Representative Kersey asked me to tell you that he thinks this idea has
merit and will look into it before the start of the next session.
A meritorious idea - it's a start for those of us who wonder about where the money goes. I encourage everyone to contact their own state representative and ask for an accountability web site. Finally, a chance to see whose hands are in the cookie jar and throw the bums out!

"A statesman is a politician who places himself at the service of the nation. A politician is a statesman who places the nation at his service."
Georges Pomidou

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