Government Spending 101

The new legislative session has produced a number of efforts (e.g., S 344,  H 87, S 67) to enhance state transparency. In my view the best of these is HB 400 sponsored by Representatives Pat McElraft (R-Carteret) and Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke). The bill creates a searchable database and web site of state spending  (appropriations, grant, contract or any other type) for $10,000 or more.  A handful of states have similar sites including Virginia, South Carolina and Texas.  The bill makes it easier for citizens to track state spending and — in the long run — helps to make government more accountable to the citizens that fund it; compelling reasons why citizens should support HB 400 and law makers should pass it.