Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By Katherine Gregg

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Interested in how the state is spending your money?

The Carcieri administration is poised to announce the launch Monday of a mechanism for the public to search state spending records through a new "Transparency Portal.''

According to the governor's office, the new Web site - www.ri.gov/opengovernment/DOA - will enable "taxpayers to see how public funds are spent'' by the Department of Administration "in a detailed, user-friendly format in the context of expenditure classifications with a few easy clicks.''

Initially, the access will be limited to Department of Administration records. But as the hub of state government, DOA has oversight over state personnel, purchasing, accounting, budgeting, information technology, state leasing and capital property management, statewide planning and legal services, so the potential range of newly searchable material is wide.

"Transparency is the key to open government," said new Department of Administration Director Gary Sasse. "The taxpayers of Rhode Island should have full and complete access to how the state spends their tax dollars, and we will work with all state agencies to develop additional portals."

Added state controller Marc Leonetti: "Along with our partners, in the Division of Information Technology, the treasurer's office and RI.gov, we will continue to identify opportunities to expand the Web site and enhance reporting."

On his own, General Treasurer Frank Caprio has already put summaries of his office's salary and spending records on line, and Ocean State Policy Research Institute, a citizens' advocacy group co-founded by the governor's wife, Suzanne Carcieri, has placed various municipal spending records and state payroll records on-line as part of what it calls its Transparency Train.

RI.gov is Rhode Island's homepage and official state government Web site and a collaborative effort between the State of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Interactive.

 Tags  Department of Administration Governor Carcieri

Comments

Patrick said:

Kudos to the Department of Administration for following Treasurer Caprio's lead on this project.

Hopefully other agencies will follow suit so taxpayers can get more a complete picture.

Link | February 13, 2009 1:36 PM
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Dan said:

Hopefully someone will be able to remove Jerome Williams face from DOA's website as he has left state employment for the cushier Roger Williams campus....and what is THAT deal all about?

Link | February 13, 2009 3:02 PM
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