Oklahomans for Responsible Government call for improved transparency website

From Sunshine Review

October 29th, 2009 A government watchdog, Oklahomans for Responsible Government (OFRG), is calling for an improved Oklahoma government transparency website. OFRG says the website, Oklahoma Open Books, lacks key information. Amid criticism, legislators are considering legislation to make improvements. ^[1]

[edit] Open Books

When Oklahoma Open Books launched two years ago, it was one of the first websites devoted to state government transparency. The website tracks the overall spending of state agencies as well as their specific expenditures. In addition, the website lists the state payroll, state grants, and state contracts. ^[2]

Since Open Books launched, many other states have followed suit with their own government transparency websites. A critic from the OFRP, Peter Rudy, says that Oklahoma's website has fallen behind other states. Rudy notes that the website fails to disclose the travel expenses of individual employees, does not contain a check register, and does not track the reception of federal stimulus money.^[3]

[edit] Improvement

In the face of criticism, legislators have planned to make improvements to Open Books. A representative from district 31, Rep. Jason Murphey, has said that he plans to introduce legislation in 2010 that would improve Open Books. The legislation would potentially overhaul the website, improving its content and usability. Added features of the website would include, for example, performance data and the capability to download information in bulk format. ^[4]

[edit] External Links

• A list of state websites and their level of transparency
• Open Books, Oklahoma's Finances: Online and In Action
• OKNews, Oklahoma Spending web site needs update, critics say

[edit] References

1. ↑ OK News, Oklahoma spending Web site needs update, critics say
2. ↑ OK News, Oklahoma spending Web site needs update, critics say
3. ↑ OK News, Oklahoma spending Web site needs update, critics say
4. ↑ OK News, Oklahoma spending Web site needs update, critics say

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