(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - The Alaska State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 25 last week, sponsored by Sen. Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage), to establish a searchable online checkbook so the public can easily view details on government spending, incoming revenues, and the total amount of state employees. In 2019, the Frontier Group, an organization that provides information and ideas to help citizens build a cleaner, healthier, and more democratic America, ranked Alaska 45th in the nation on making public finance data readily available to the public. 

“Alaskans have the right to know what the State is spending its money on. With an online, easily accessible and searchable database, Alaskans can easily access government spending records and, in turn, make Alaska a leader in government finance transparency,” said Sen. Wielechowski.

All 50 states operate websites that make information on state expenditures and revenues accessible to the public. Currently, the State provides data in various spreadsheets and webpages on the State of Alaska website. SB 25 requires the State to create a user friendly website to make this information more accessible and requires more information to be included.

The State of Alaska receives thousands of public records requests every year. There is potential for the state to save time and resource through an online checkbook that SB 25 seeks to create.

“If Alaskans have a central location to access the State’s financial data, they will not have to rely upon the Administration to process a FOIA request and would have the information instantaneously,” Sen. Wielechowski concluded.

SB 25 has been transmitted to the House for consideration. 

On the Web:

Alaska's Current Online Checkbook

How to access the Current Checkbook Online [YouTube Video]

 

Edited By: Mary Kauffman, SitNews



Source of News:

Alaska State Senate
www.akleg.gov

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