April 29, 2010
BOSTON — State Representative Jen Benson yesterday joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing budget amendments aimed at increasing the openness and accessibility of the budget process.
These amendments—coupled with the online, searchable database of government expenditures established by the FY11 House budget proposal—promise to increase the visibility of state spending.
"I have been a long-time advocate of government transparency," said Benson. "These changes will let anyone see how their tax dollars are being spent and will allow us to better analyze the success of our tax credit programs."
According to a recent MASSPIRG study, 32 other states provide an online database with in-depth detail on government expenditures. With the establishment of a searchable, online database in the House FY11 budget proposal, Massachusetts would join these states in terms of accessibility to information on government spending.
Last year's House rules reform required the House Clerk to make all bills introduced and admitted for consideration to the House available to members electronically and post them on the internet. The reform package also requires notice of committee hearings to be posted on the internet.
