Pennsylvania creates online contract library
From Sunshine Review
23 July 2008
In a leap forward for government transparency and accountability, Pennsylvania state Treasurer Robin Wiessmann unveiled a new searchable database of government contracts. The free database, known as the Contracts e-Library, is available through the PA Treasury Department's website at www.patreasury.org.
The database was created due to the Right-to-Know Law, signed by Governor Rendall on February 14, 2008. While most of the provisions of the law do not take effect until January 1, 2008, the database was created in just four months, and currently has about 1,500 contracts online.[1]
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[edit] Increasing Accountability
In launching the site, Weissmann stated, "Since taking office as Pennsylvania Treasurer, I have been committed to making the Commonwealth's financial information and operations more accessible to all Pennsylvanians. We are pleased to offer this new free, online service as part of our commitment to bringing good governance and transparency into all of our day-to-day operations."[2]
The Governor expressed satisfaction with the database, referring to it "the first of many action items" that "will continue to break down the barriers between Pennsylvania citizens and government."
The site has been described as "user-friendly", but concerns have also been voiced about the potential for redaction of vital information. [3]
[edit] The e-Library
Although a part of the Treasury's website, they are responsible for only the infrastructure and maintenance of the database. The actual content comes from the government agencies themselves. In order to make it easier to find information, the Treasury is requiring all agencies to supply short summaries of all contracts. Anyone who feels that information is being unlawfully withheld, they can appeal to the newly created state Office of Open Records.
Nearly all government bodies are required to post their contracts with private parties. Exemptions were given only to those who wanted to have their own separate database, such as the Department of Justice.
