One giant LEAP for tracking government spending

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law a bill aimed at increasing the transparency of our state finances yesterday.

Senate Bill 6818, sponsored by Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, directs the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program (LEAP) to create a website that will provide quick and easy access to details in the state’s operating, capital and transportation budgets.

“If this information is not accessible, it is not useful” Oemig said. “LEAP is making a lot of the same data that is already publicly available into a format that can actually be used.”

The new website will allow users to examine expenditures and revenues by specific programs and by entire departments. The website will also have information about governmental contracts. Oemig hopes this data will help the public understand how their government works and how their money is being spent.

“Government operates best when it is transparent, and everyone deserves to know where their hard earned money is being spent.” Oemig said. “This website will show the good numbers and the bad numbers. It will show where your money is being spent wisely and where we can trim the fat from the state budget.”

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