Louisiana launches state spending website
From Sunshine Review
13 November 2008
LaTrac, a new website detailing state spending in Louisiana, has been officially launched. The site is part of Gov. Bobby Jindal's promise of a more accountable and transparent government. It currently contains all spending from the state's accounting system General Ledger, and promises more detailed information in the future.[1]
Contents |
Creation
Developed by the state budget office, LaTrac first began as an executive order issued by Jindal on his first full day in office. The spending database then became mandated by law in February, during a special session on ethics. During the unveiling ceremony, Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis said, "Citizens must have as much information as possible about how government spends its money," stressing just how important it is now that the state is expecting a $1.3 billion shortfall in next year's budget.[1]
Current information
The site, which will be updated monthly, saw its launch well before the deadline of January 1, 2009. However, officials stress that that does not mean it is finished. Eventually, spending information from all Louisiana colleges and universities will be on the site, but as of yet only the LA State University System's is up. Also, the state is waiting on computer upgrades that will allow the public to see much more detailed expenditure reports.
Davis stressed that with this website, Louisiana is one of only eight states that have made state spending available in an online database, one of only two states to include higher education spending in their database, and the only one to link spending with performance measures.[1]
External Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Times-Picayune, Want to know what your state taxpayer dollars pay for? Try the Jindal administration's new website, November 13, 2008
