Transparency Gaining Steam
Frequent readers of my blog know that budget transparency at all levels of government is a pet issue of mine. The issue has also been gaining steam in conservative circles at all levels of government. Norm over at TQ notes that Senator Cuccinelli’s bill to put the state budget online has passed the first hoop in the House. However, nervous bueracrats are doing everything they can to stop the bill:
It now heads over the the House Appropriations committee because, for whatever reason, the Department of Planning and Budget insists that there is a fiscal impact.
This comes as news both to the folks from General Services and to the state’s Auditor, Walter Kucharski, who told the committee that there is no fiscal impact from the bill and that the Department of Planning and Budget never asked him if for his input on their estimate.
I’ll never cease to be amazed by the sense of entitlement that public officials and bureaucrats have once they have “the people’s” money. Regardless, the always know what’s best for the greater good.
Meanwhile, Crystal Clear Conservative notes that the issue is gaining alot of traction in Fairfax, particularly after Pat Herrity’s extremely tight campaign for Chairman where he used transparency as a key issue:
Transparency is a hot ticket issue, especially in large, suburban counties like Fairfax, where it seems like every year comes with a new property tax increase. This is the first step towards fiscal accountability. If a taxpayer searches the database and notices that the company is spending $X with this contractor, then they are able to question this at an open county hearing with their Supervisor. In this budget crisis, we need fiscally sound principles more now than ever.
Amen sister. If elected officials are truly doing the people’s work and are basing their decisions on principles, not relationships, then they should have nothing to hide. After numerous controversies about the style of governance in Shenandoah County over the last few years, will any Board of Supervisors candidates take up the call for budget transparency.
If you’re out there, I’d like to hear from you.
