Jones: Already doing online checkbook
State Controller Donna Jones has issued a press release on the topic of HB 263, the unsuccessful proposal from Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, this year to essentially put the state's checkbook online. Jones says her office has already been working on exactly that, and will get it up online as soon as the state's financial picture permits. However, she wrote, "in consideration of the turbulent economy, now is not the right time to spend the estimated $250,000 needed to implement this project. That’s why I worked closely with JFAC and state budget officials and withdrew my funding request for this project."
Click below to read Jones' full statement, which includes some criticism of the approach in Hart's bill. "It would not be prudent to legislate a transparency solution that fails to solicit citizen input, does not provide the types of information taxpayers want to see online, and overlooks the importance of designing a cost effective method of extracting data from our financial systems," Jones wrote. "Any transparency project must also recognize that raw data about expenditures is of limited value, unless we know the context behind the expenditures."
Donna M. Jones
Idaho State Controller
April 16, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Citizens Deserve Transparent Government
By Donna M. Jones
Idahoans foot the bill for state government. They deserve to have a clear understanding of how their tax dollars are spent. The difficulties arrive when we debate the details of what constitutes government transparency, how to pay for it, and what benefits it will provide.
There is no hard and fast guarantee putting the state’s checkbook online will save tax dollars. However, making sure taxpayers know how, and where, their money is spent is good government. During the years I served as chairwoman of the House Revenue and Taxation committee, I learned that increasing public oversight improves the process of governing.
As State Controller, I am responsible for maintaining Idaho’s financial systems. This gives me unique insight into what it will take to build and maintain a state transparency website, a.k.a. online checkbook. There are very real one-time and ongoing costs associated with putting the state’s financial data online. It is appropriate for the Legislature to weigh these costs, particularly considering the current economic climate.
House Bill 263, which failed in the House of Representatives, sought to impose a legislative mandate for a government financial transparency website, when my office is already preparing to deliver this service. It would not be prudent to legislate a transparency solution that fails to solicit citizen input, does not provide the types of information taxpayers want to see online, and overlooks the importance of designing a cost effective method of extracting data from our financial systems.
Any transparency project must also recognize that raw data about expenditures is of limited value, unless we know the context behind the expenditures.
The State Controller’s Office has already been working to put Idaho’s financial data online, and to establish how much this project will cost. Prior to this year’s legislative session, my office reviewed other state’s transparency efforts, talked to citizens and advocacy groups, discussed the project with legislators, built a model website, and laid the groundwork for putting Idaho’s financial information online. If now were the prudent time to spend your tax dollars on a transparency website, my office would be poised to deliver.
But in consideration of the turbulent economy, now is not the right time to spend the estimated $250,000 needed to implement this project. That’s why I worked closely with JFAC and state budget officials and withdrew my funding request for this project. While my transparency project is important, there are other, more pressing needs elsewhere in state government at this time.
All Idaho citizens do have transparent access to our state’s financial data through the Idaho Public Records Act. While this process may not be as convenient as a transparency website, it does ensure the people have access to information about how their tax dollars are spent. Public records requests also provide a greater amount of detail, specificity, and context that a transparency website cannot match.
My office also publishes a variety of reports, including the state’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Legislative Handbook, which provides detailed information about the state’s finances. These reports can be downloaded from my website at http://www.sco.idaho.gov.
Government must ensure the accounting of your tax dollars is clear and open for public scrutiny. House Bill 263 engaged our Legislators in a vital debate about government transparency. Ultimately, the Legislature understood a collaborative process, not a legislative mandate, would best serve the people of Idaho.
When the economy improves for Idaho’s families, the time will be right to invest the tax dollars needed to bring greater illumination to state finances by making this information available online, and the State Controller’s Office will be ready to deliver.
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