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April 1, 2008 |
Contact: John Barnes |
Governor signs Washington Policy Center proposal for searchable budget website
Olympia – Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law today SB 6818 (Promoting transparency in state expenditures). The bill is based on Washington Policy Center’s (WPC) recommendation for the state to adopt a searchable budget website. It passed the legislature unanimously.
“We are pleased to see state officials make improving citizen access to details on state spending a priority by adopting this reform,” said Jason Mercier, director of WPC’s Center Government Reform. “The state’s new searchable budget website will help connect taxpayers with the spending decisions being made on their behalf by shining a light on what is being purchased and accomplished with their tax dollars.”
Legislative supporters of increased budget transparency are also pleased to see this reform enacted.
Lead sponsor of SB 6818, Sen. Eric Oemig (D-Kirkland) said, “One of two things will happen when you examine the budget. You either find mistakes so you can fix them, or you show what a good job you’re already doing. Either way, taxpayers win because we waste less on the bad and invest more in the good.”
Sen. Val Stevens (R-Arlington) also introduced a budget transparency bill (SB 6387) but supported the passage of SB 6818.
“My constituents tell me they’d need a PhD from MIT to understand how and where Olympia spends their money,” said Sen. Stevens. “With this new state budget website, the average person can track who gets the money, what they have to deliver, and whether or not we’re getting what we pay for. That kind of government transparency is long overdue.”
The key House amendment to the bill was offered by Rep. Kelli Linville (D-Bellingham).
“I have been an advocate for open, transparent government for many years, so I was very pleased to support the budget transparency bill pass the Legislature. Residents of Washington should be able to see how their tax dollars are spent,” said Rep. Linville. “I’m also pleased that my amendments were accepted to establish the website through the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program.”
Rep. Gary Alexander (R-Olympia), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, believes this reform is real progress.
“One of the most important changes we can make to achieve truth in budgeting is to bring more transparency to the budget process. The passage of SB 6818 is a giant step in bringing visibility to the very complex operations of state government,” said Rep. Alexander. “The Legislative and Evaluation Committee is the perfect web site to shine some sunshine on Washington State’s revenues and expenditures.”
Background
Last summer Jason Mercier, director of WPC’s Center for Government Reform, sponsored model language for a searchable budget website at the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) annual meeting. ALEC is the nation’s largest nonpartisan, individual membership organization of state legislators, with more than 2,400 legislator members from all 50 states, and 86 former members serving in the U.S. Congress. ALEC adopted the proposed language as its own and made it available to lawmakers across the nation. Many states have moved forward with the reform with Washington now joining them.
On December 5, 2007, WPC released a study entitled Creating a Free, Searchable Website of State Spending. These efforts served as the basis for proposals introduced by Sens. Eric Oemig (SB 6818) and Val Stevens (SB 6387).
State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Attorney General Rob McKenna also weighed in calling for Washington lawmakers to adopt this reform.
Sonntag told the Senate Ways and Means Committee on February 7, 2008, “Sometimes common sense and public policy do meet and this is one of those times . . . We’re talking about the public’s business and the public’s information and those things being subject to the public light of day. This is fundamental to good government and government accountability and I am proud to support this idea, this concept and lend my voice to it. It’s never wrong to open the doors and let people in and see what their government is doing.”
In a January 7, 2008 press release, McKenna said, “Budget transparency is a laudable goal. Citizens need to be informed about the cost of government and where their tax dollars are being spent. I support the Washington Policy Center in its work to bring more transparency and access to our state’s taxpayers.”