February 5, 2009

    LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox, House Republican Leader Kevin Elsenheimer, and several State Representatives today called on Governor Jennifer Granholm to commit to legislation which would require the State of Michigan to make all spending available for review online.  Gov. Granholm was also asked to support upcoming legislation that will designate the month of February as "Transparency Month." 

    "It is time Michigan had a website that lets taxpayers see where their hard earned money is being spent," stated Cox.  "I am calling on Governor Granholm to commit to making Michigan's government more transparent. Citizens have a right to know how their government is spending their money."

    Since early last year, Cox and several legislators have called for more transparency in government.  Cox, Elsenheimer, and the current bill sponsors, Rep. Tom McMillin (R-Auburn Hills), Rep. Kim Meltzer (R-Clinton Twp.) and Rep. Paul Opsommer (R-DeWitt), noted that Michigan is falling behind the nation on transparency.  President Obama cosponsored bi-partisan legislation while in the U.S. Senate that resulted in the creation of the federal transparency website, USASpending.gov, and at least 16 other states have transparency sites as well.  Cox often cites Missouri's transparency website, created in 2007, which is located at http://mapyourtaxes.mo.gov.

    Cox said the governor missed a perfect opportunity in her State of the State address to announce a plan to put state spending online.  He called on Granholm to make transparency a prime component of her budget presentation next week.

    "After being overcharged $1 billion the last two years, Michigan taxpayers should question how their money is being spent," said Cox.  "The governor missed an opportunity to assure Michigan citizens that their government will become transparent.  Gov. Granholm can still do the right thing by pledging that Michigan will become the most transparent state in the nation."

    Cox said that transparency websites would help citizens, the media and even legislators fully understand how Michigan's budget is spent, shedding light on how the state ended the last two years with surpluses of approximately $350 million and $700 million.

    Cox also praised the legislators who have taken the lead to create and promote transparency legislation.

    "Thanks to the leadership of Leader Elsenheimer and Representatives Meltzer, McMillin, Opsommer and others, Michigan is one step closer to a truly transparent government."

    Elsenheimer, R-Kewadin, today announced that he became the first state lawmaker to post his office's spending online.

    "Our entire system of democracy is based on the people's right to an open and transparent government, and residents clearly deserve to know how their money is being spent," said Elsenheimer.

    Cox was the first state official to post his spending online.  To visit his "Track Your Taxes" page, visit www.michigan.gov/ag and click on the "Track Your Taxes" button the homepage.

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