Web posted
Friday, August 24, 2007
Kelley promotes access
Transparency bill gains momentum across the nation
By JAMES JORDAN
Traveler Editor
State Representative Kasha Kelley (R-Arkansas City) has been talking about transparency in government since she was first elected to the Statehouse two years ago.
This summer she has made trips to speak on the subject. Recently she spoke on the issue at the National Conference of State Legislatures held this year in Boston, MA.
The annual meeting provides lawmakers the opportunity to study and discuss the many topics and issues facing their states. Kelley was part of a panel on transparency in state government.
Her goal is to create a central Web site where virtually all state documents can be accessed. People would be able to get information -- especially financial information about any state agency. Currently the information is available, but one has to contact each agency, and sometimes that information can be hard to find.
Kelley said.she helped get the bill passed in the recently completed legislative session in Topeka.
Critics of the bill, including State Senator Greta Goodwin, (D-Winfield) have said it is not good use of government time and money because all of the information is available to the public already.
Kansas is the first state to have the system, and other states have begun to show interest as well.
"Taxpayers across the country have the right to know how every tax dollar is spent," Kelley said. "Efforts to provide transparency in government are designed to make that information available to everyone. I am proud that Kansas was the first state to commit to making the budget easily searchable."
Kelley believes that most people have a negative opinion of politicians and the political process in general. If more information is readily available, she believes it might help restore people's faith in government.
"It allows them to have access to the information that is rightfully theirs about how their government manages the bank account," she said. Information is far less prone to political interpretation if it's out there, in its fullness, for the people to research on their own."
Kelley sponsored House Bill 2457, the Kansas Taxpayer Transparency Act, this last session. The legislation was included in its entirety in Senate Bill 357, the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which became law on July 1, 2007.
The act requires the Secretary of Administration develop and operate a single, searchable Web site accessible by the public at no cost.
The Web site, which will be up and running by March 1, 2008, will include information about state expenditures, revenues, and bond indebtness.
"I am pleased Rep. Kelley stepped forward to lead efforts both in Kansas and on the national level to make government spending more transparent," Speaker Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) said.
"Her work will help Kansas and other states become more accountable to the people."State Representative David Steil (R-Bucks, PA); State Senator Randy Brogdon (R-Owasso, OK);John O'Brien, Director of the Texas Legislative Budget Board; and Bob Williams, President of Evergreen Freedom Foundation also participated on the panel.
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
Kelley has been pleased that the idea is gaining steam around the country.It was a wonderful experience to see legislators from across the nation, from both sides of the aisle, open to and willing to work on legislation in their states to increase transparency in government.
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