Iowa received an “A-” when it comes to government spending transparency, according to Following the Money 2015: How the 50 States Rate in Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data, the sixth annual report by the Public Interest Research Group.
Senate Democrats strongly support better ways to inform Iowa taxpayers about how and where their tax dollars are spent. For example, the Senate voted in 2013 to invest in an online database that Iowans can use to search the state’s budget expenditures and tax revenue. Operated by the Iowa Department of Management, it represents our commitment to honest, open government.
Top-flight transparency websites can save money for taxpayers, while also restoring public confidence in government and preventing misspending and pay-to-play contracts. It is easy for Iowans to see how their tax dollars are spent because Iowa is among the top ten states with the most comprehensive transparency websites. Iowa’s State Transparency Website allows citizens, experts and watchdog groups to find information on a variety of expenditures. The site at http://data.iowa.gov offers datasets, charts, tables, maps and other resources on Iowa’s financial, tax and performance data.
The state continues to improve the site by adding checkbook data about its Research Activities Credit and more information about economic development programs. It even provides information on money recouped by the state when recipients fail to deliver the agreed-upon results, an accountability practice that sets us apart from most other states.
To read the full report on government spending transparency, go to http://uspirg.org/reports/usp/following-money-2015.