Olympia – The new searchable budget website authorized by SB 6818 (Promoting transparency in state expenditures) was launched this morning by the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program Committee (LEAP) and the Office of Financial Management (OFM). SB 6818 was based on Washington Policy Center’s (WPC) recommendation for the state to adopt a searchable budget website. It passed the legislature unanimously in 2008.
The website is Fiscal.wa.gov (website will be live at noon on 12/3).
The searchable budget website provides an unprecedented level of interactivity allowing users to create their own budget reports to compare state spending over time.
“The state’s new fiscal website is a great resource for citizens regardless of the level of their budget expertise,” said Jason Mercier, Government Reform director at Washington Policy Center. “From the green eyeshade policy analyst to the casual observer, users can create a customized look at how our tax dollars are being spent.”
Included on the website are details on:
• state expenditures by fund or account
• expenditures by agency, program, and subprogram
• state revenues by source
• state expenditures by budget object and subobject
• state agency workloads, caseloads, and performance measurements.
The budget website also links to performance information on the Government Management Accountability and Performance (GMAP) website and OFM’s website on personal services’ contracts.
To help build on the success of Fiscal.wa.gov, WPC sent letters to GMAP and OFM encouraging these agencies to enhance their websites to mirror the functionality of the new budget website. This effort could also serve as a template for creation of a tax transparency website. Earlier this year WPC released a proposal for a ‘Taxation Disclosure Act’ similar to SB 6818.
“We are hopeful that state officials will build on the success of the new budget website and also make details on taxation more transparent to help citizens learn more about what government decisions mean to their pocketbooks,” said Mercier.
If adopted by state officials, the tax transparency proposal would set up an online database where users could find their state and local tax rates (such as property and sales taxes) by entering their zip code, street address, or by clicking on a map showing individual taxing district boundaries. An online calculator would let citizens determine their total tax burden and which officials are responsible for which parts of it.
Additional Information
Background
On December 5, 2007, WPC released a study entitled Creating a Free, Searchable Website of State Spending. These efforts served as the basis for proposals introduced by Sens. Eric Oemig (SB 6818) and Val Stevens (SB 6387).
State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Attorney General Rob McKenna also weighed in calling for Washington lawmakers to adopt this reform.
Sonntag told the Senate Ways and Means Committee on February 7, 2008, “Sometimes common sense and public policy do meet and this is one of those times . . . We’re talking about the public’s business and the public’s information and those things being subject to the public light of day. This is fundamental to good government and government accountability and I am proud to support this idea, this concept and lend my voice to it. It’s never wrong to open the doors and let people in and see what their government is doing.”
In a January 7, 2008 press release, McKenna said, “Budget transparency is a laudable goal. Citizens need to be informed about the cost of government and where their tax dollars are being spent. I support the Washington Policy Center in its work to bring more transparency and access to our state’s taxpayers.”
Legislative quotes from WPC April 1 press release on enactment of SB 6818
Lead sponsor of SB 6818, Sen. Eric Oemig (D-45th) said, “One of two things will happen when you examine the budget. You either find mistakes so you can fix them, or you show what a good job you’re already doing. Either way, taxpayers win because we waste less on the bad and invest more in the good.”
Sen. Val Stevens (R-39th) also introduced a budget transparency bill (SB 6387) but supported the passage of SB 6818.
"My constituents tell me they’d need a PhD from MIT to understand how and where Olympia spends their money,” said Sen. Stevens. “With this new state budget website, the average person can track who gets the money, what they have to deliver, and whether or not we’re getting what we pay for. That kind of government transparency is long overdue.”
The key House amendment to the bill was offered by Rep. Kelli Linville (D-42nd).
“I have been an advocate for open, transparent government for many years, so I was very pleased to support the budget transparency bill pass the Legislature. Residents of Washington should be able to see how their tax dollars are spent,” said Rep. Linville. “I’m also pleased that my amendments were accepted to establish the website through the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program.”
Rep. Gary Alexander (R-20th), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, believes this reform is real progress.
“One of the most important changes we can make to achieve truth in budgeting is to bring more transparency to the budget process. The passage of SB 6818 is a giant step in bringing visibility to the very complex operations of state government,” said Rep. Alexander. “The Legislative and Evaluation Committee is the perfect web site to shine some sunshine on Washington State’s revenues and expenditures.”