Cost of state transparency websites
From Sunshine Review
State transparency websites are designed to enhance public awareness of government spending and, in turn, fiscal responsibility. The cost of state transparency websites includes all of the financial costs required to establish and maintain such a website. Costs can differ widely based on the functions, state and vendors chosen, however a 2009 study by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University finds that governments typically overestimate these costs and disregard the savings that transparency websites create. [1]
[edit] Federal Costs
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that implementation of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act would cost about $10 million initially in 2007 and about $15 million total over the 2007-2011 period. [2]. Actual initial startup costs were much lower, at $600,000.[3].
[edit] State costs
Cost estimates for creating an online transparency website have varied widely from state to state. As Nebraska's Treasurer Shane Osborn notes, such estimates are sometimes exaggerated. The following table, based on information received through email and original research, helps explain the cost of becoming transparent.
[edit] Vendors
The software used by the Office of Management and Budget to create USASpending.gov is now available for free from OMB Watch.[11]
[edit] External links
- Center for Fiscal Accountability, Transparency in Government Spending in the States
- U.S. PIRG, Transparency.gov 2.0: Using The Internet For Budget Transparency To Increase Accountability, Efficiency And Taxpayer Confidence, Dec. 3, 2008
[edit] References
- ↑ http://www.mercatus.org/uploadedFiles/Mercatus/Publications/MOP40_GAP_Transparency_web.pdf Mercatus Center at George Mason University, “The Cost of State Online Spending-Transparency Initiatives,” April 2009, p. 3
- ↑ http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/74xx/doc7483/s2590.pdf Congressional Budget Office, "Cost Estimate of S. 2590—Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006," August 9, 2006
- ↑ Elizabeth Williamson, “OMB Offers an Easy Way to Follow the Money,” Washington Post, December 13, 2007, A33
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Mercatus Center, The Cost of State Online Spending Transparency Initiatives, April 2009
- ↑ opendoor.ky.gov, "About"
- ↑ National Taxpayers Union, Testimony of Kristina Rasmussen, NTU Government Affairs Director, Submitted to the Health and Government Operations Committee, Maryland House of Delegates, Regarding HB 358, the Maryland Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, Feb. 6, 2008
- ↑ Estimate based upon information from the Pennsylvania Contract e-Library; specifically, two contracts the state had with Koryak Consulting
- ↑ Rhode Island Treasurer, How much did this project cost?
- ↑ Liberty for All, Transparency doesn't cost, it saves, Dec. 30, 2008
- ↑ Sutherland Institue, FOIA request, Jan. 29, 2009
- ↑ OMB Watch, Action Center
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