Missouri’s Transparency

NEWS RELEASE    ---     From the Office of Representative Shelley Keeney - 156^th District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	CONTACT:    Rep. Shelley Keeney
February 25, 2011	(573) 751-5912

Missouri's Transparency

One of the most important things that I believe is important for democracy in our state and in our country is transparency.

This week we took a great step at increasing transparency in our state government.  The two largest government entities under the umbrella of Missouri state government are counties and school districts.  These entities have budgets that are sometimes millions of dollars and all of them receive revenue from local taxpayers.  Because these entities are so large and receive such a large portion of their revenue from local taxpayers, we felt it was important to provide our Missouri citizens the access to the public financial situations these entities are facing.

As a result, this week the House passed HB 139.  This bill requires school districts and county governments to provide information that is already public by sending it to the Missouri Accountability Portal at – http://mapyourtaxes.mo.gov/  Currently school district and county government balance statements are public information; however they are not easily accessible.

The Missouri Accountability Portal currently displays the salaries of most state workers, those applying for state tax credits, and where state expenditures through state agencies are going. 

Once this information is sent to the Portal, individuals will be able to search for all kinds of information as well as public employee salaries.  In addition, an amendment was added that would require the Governor to disclose how much money he is spending on state travel and the reason for the state-paid trips.  While it is important for our Governors to be able to travel the state, especially in emergencies, better transparency on this issue would also lead to more accountability.

Once this information is available on the Internet, citizens will be able to have better access to see how it is spent.  After all – it is your taxpayer money.

Researchers will also be able to use the information to compare salaries across counties and school districts, as well as other statistics.  This could help develop ideas to reduce costs and create more efficiency.  Right now it’s hard to develop plans on how to save money on a state-wide level without an easy way of knowing where it is all being spent, so this is a step in the right direction.

I enjoyed visiting with everyone at the Madison County Extension Council banquet Friday night.  Also, congratulations to Leroy “Butch” Braswell who was honored for 70 years of scouting Saturday evening in Fredericktown.

Please let me know if you would like to receive my weekly updates via electronic E-Mail, by sending an email with your name to: Shelley.Keeney@house.mo.gov

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns about state government.  Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-5912. You may write me at: Shelley Keeney; Missouri House of Representatives; State Capitol, Room 313; Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806 or email me.

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