Rep. Blair Thoreson has introduced in the state legislature a bill that would require the director of the budget to establish a publicly-accessible and fully searchable website that would detail of all North Dakota’s spending

This is a fantastic idea.  You can read Rep. Thoreson’s proposed legislation here

Transparency is an important objective in government.  Far too often the only information taxpayers have about spending in government is whatever comments policymakers care to make about it as filtered through the unreliable media.  Busy citizens need a quick, easy and unbiased way to keep tabs on how their money is being spent and an online database is a good way to do that.  My only concern is that government rarely does anything well, and website design is one of those things the government doesn’t excel at.  But that’s a concern that can be addressed once this legislation is passed

North Dakotans should contact their legislators (information on doing so here) and tell them to support Rep. Blair Thoreson’s transparency bill, which is House Bill 1377.  This isn’t a partisan issue.  Knowing what our political leaders are doing, be they Republican or Democrat, is of interest to all citizens

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