State Representative Todd Snitchler (R-Uniontown) recently proposed the creation of an online budget web site to increase government transparency and accountability.
The web site would provide Ohioans with a dollar-by-dollar breakdown of how their tax dollars are appropriated in the state’s biennial budget. Several other states, including Connecticut and Minnesota, have similar web sites that allow citizens to access information concerning tax dollar expenditures.
“This measure will serve to increase government efficiency and accountability by making its spending habits readily accessible to its citizens,” Snitchler said. “Increased transparency in government is something that we should be striving for at all times, especially when it comes to spending. It is our responsibility to be upfront with Ohio taxpayers about how their hard-earned tax dollars are spent.”
Snitchler discussed the possibility of creating an Ohio budget web site with leadership from Ohio Legislative Information Systems (LIS), a non-partisan state agency that provides information technology services and support to other state agencies. LIS indicated that the creation of a budget web site would be plausible and cost-effective.
“An interactive budget web site that gives Ohioans the ability to track how their tax dollars are spent is a great way to improve government’s accountability and transparency,” said Representative Tim Derickson (R-Oxford), a member of the bipartisan LIS subcommittee.
“This is a wonderful tool for Ohio’s taxpayers,” said House Minority Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). “Democracy is government by the people, and giving taxpayers the ability to see how their dollars are being spent will strengthen our democracy and improve government transparency. In the end, Ohio’s citizens will save money as state government is held accountable for its spending and becomes more efficient.”
According to LIS estimates, a fully operational version of the budget Web site could be online in as early as six months.
Uniontown, Ohio —
