January 20, 2010

 

Dear Neighbor,

While Florida may have government in the sunshine, we still have spending in the shade.  Too few of us attend budget meetings and fewer still dig through the thick budget books published by state and local government. 

Starting today, it will be much easier for you, and 18 million other Floridians, to look over the shoulder of state agencies and get an in-depth look at how they spend your tax dollars.

TransparencyFlorida.gov puts Florida’s checkbook on line. 

I joined Senators J.D. Alexander and Mike Haridopolos in advocating for this unprecedented access to state government spending.  We unveiled it today in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, on which I serve.  

www.TransparencyFlorida.gov also includes a glossary of terms used by legislators in the appropriations process and a list of frequently asked questions, all of which should help citizens better understand the state budget process.

But this open government initiative isn’t just to promote public understanding.  Now everyone with access to a computer can review every expenditure of every agency and department.  It’s like having 18 million auditors. 

By March 1, we hope to have a phase-in schedule for including information from school districts, universities and community colleges.  I hope that local governments – cities, counties, water management districts, fire districts – can all be linked to TransparencyFlorida as soon as possible.

Other phases of TransparencyFlorida will include detailed information on agency contracts so taxpayers can see who is doing business with the state, at what price and on what terms.

We’re rightly proud of our “government in the sunshine” laws.  I’m dedicated to bringing more integrity and openness to the process of appropriating public funds.  TransparencyFlorida is a leading edge improvement that puts our state ahead of the nation in open government. 

Thank you so much for the emails, letters and calls as we prepare to open the next session of the Florida Legislature.  Your suggestions, comments and guidance make me a better senator for Northwest Florida and you.

 

Respectfully,

Don Gaetz

 

 

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For more information about this or any other issue, please contact Senator Don Gaetz, by e-mail at gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov, by letter, 4300 Legendary Drive, Suite 230, Destin, FL 32541or call 1-866-450-4DON toll free from anywhere in Florida.

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