South Carolina Spending Transparency
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South Carolina publishes annual and monthly detailed spending reports under its Statewide Accounting and Reporting System (STARS). This system was instated on August 30th 2007 by executive order 2007-14, issued and signed by governor Mark Sanford.
The many purposes of this database, as stated by governor Mark Sanford include:
- Giving complete transparency to South Carolinians on how their tax dollars are being spent
- To all better competition for government contracts
- To keep a light shined on the rapid expansion of government spending that has taken place over the last four years
- To recognize and bring a forum about the $18 billion is standing debt South Carolina has created.
[edit] The Details
[edit] Included Information
The responsibility of developing and operating this spending database is that of the Comptroller General. This information must include all grants, contracts and subcontracts, and any other governmental expenditures.
The data that is entered into the STARS database must include:
- The amount of funds expended
- Which agency spent the money
- the source of funds
- and any relevant information specified by the Comptroller General's Office.
[edit] Time Line
The executive order creating this database specifies that the information must be published on a yearly basis, with information becoming available at no more than 120 days after the close of the year. All cabinet agencies of the South Carolina government must also publish on their websites all travel expenses, office supplies, and contractual expenses over $100.
This information must also include the company or person who was paid, the amount of payment, and the date of payment. This information must be updated monthly.[1]
[edit] Ease of Use
This database is extremely easy to use and offers very detailed information. First the user decides whic year, month, and department to search. The database will then bring up all of the category expenses that the agency incurred during the specified month. These categories can be clicked on for more specific information down to the individual transaction level. Information is updated much more often that is determined by the executive order. Information for last month is already published.
