SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9 - An Executive Order signed yesterday by the governor will ensure additional disclosure documents are posted on www.reportingtransparency.ca.gov.
“We’re glad the governor says that “he meant it” when he ordered agencies and departments to be more transparent and accountable to taxpayers, and praise the step forward yesterday, but the job’s not done yet,” responded Emily Rusch, State Director of CALPIRG.
In a recent op-ed printed by the Sacramento Bee and the Orange County Register, CALPIRG joined the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association in calling on the governor to disclose and make browsable other, additional information, including but not limited to:
- The tool would be far more useful to taxpayers if it included what private contractors are hired to do, and what taxpayers get in return for private contracts, rather than just listing the companies and the amount of the contract.
- The tool should include independent and quasi public-private agencies that receive taxpayer funds, such as the High-Speed Rail Authority, the California Prison Industry Authority, and the University of California system.
- The tool should disclose which companies receive corporate tax breaks and what the state gets in return for the investment in those companies.
“Especially in difficult economic times, taxpayers deserve easy access to information about government spending to ensure lawmakers are focused on the right priorities. Experience in other states shows that transparency web portals can bolster taxpayer confidence, save the state millions in reduced contracting costs, and improve public oversight,” said Rusch.
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