JUNE 11, 2009

Secretary Land says posting spending by all state agencies makes good sense
 

Citing the importance of government transparency, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today posted her agency's latest spending report online and also offered a blueprint to assist other departments in disclosing their financial data.

Since 2008, Land has been making public the most detailed spending information of any state agency. The quarterly reports include comprehensive information such as salaries by positions, payments for individual office leases, contracts, employee travel, utilities and grants to local governments. Land said that posting spending on the Web should be standard practice across state government considering the minimal time and expense involved.

"Government should understand that showing its dollars and cents makes good sense," Land said. "This is especially true in light of the talk of tax and fee increases. Now more than ever, taxpayers must have the opportunity to see for themselves how their hard-earned dollars are spent. Today's technology makes it easy to put this information at their fingertips. The Department of State is a leader in making detailed financial information available and we're happy to help other agencies do the same."

Land credited state Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, for sponsoring Senate Bill 382 which would require all state agencies to post spending details on the Internet. Unfortunately, the legislation is stalled in light of projections that put implementation costs at $100 million.

Kuipers called the estimate "ironic" since Land's department is able to produce a meaningful, in-depth report for less than $3,000 a year.

"Where there's a will, there's a way," Kuipers said. "There's no reason that every agency shouldn't be as forthcoming as the Department of State. Lansing must never forget that its business is the people's business, and taxpayers have every right to scrutinize how their money is spent. I applaud Secretary Land for her commitment to transparency and will continue working to shine the spotlight on government spending."

To help other agencies compile and post their financial information, Land prepared a brief guide that outlines steps taken by the Department of State to gather and disseminate the data in an efficient, cost-effective manner using the Michigan Administrative Information Network. MAIN is the state's automated administrative management system that supports accounting, payroll, purchasing, contracting, budgeting, personnel and revenue management activities.

Land commended the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland for encouraging government to go beyond the basic requirements of right-to-know laws through its Show Michigan the Money initiative. The Mackinac Center approached the Department of State last year to gauge its willingness to participate in the project, which Land enthusiastically endorsed.

Visit www.Michigan.gov/sos to view the spending reports or for more information about department services.

Related Links
> Michigan Department of State Transparency in Spending Reports
> Guide - Quarterly Report Preparation