Pennsylvania is among seven states leading the nation in efforts to improve online public access to government spending information, according to a recent report by the Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group (PennPIRG). 

“Pennsylvania has come a long way toward achieving spending transparency on the Web in a relatively short period of time,” said Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery). “In order to regain the public trust, not just in state government but at all levels of government, we must continue working to ensure the people have access to information about how their tax dollars are being spent.” 

According to the PennPIRG report, Pennsylvania gets high marks for providing detailed, “checkbook-level” information on the Web that is searchable by contractor or by activity. The site, managed by the Pennsylvania Treasury, also provides easy-to-read summaries of contracts. 

Other states identified as “leading states,” along with Pennsylvania, include Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri. The movement toward spending transparency online is taking place nationwide, with legislation and executive orders in 32 states calling for the establishment of online government spending databases. The federal government is also pursuing such initiatives. 

The report cites a number of benefits of transparency, including saving taxpayer money through more efficient government operations, more competitive contract bidding and a lower risk of fraud. 

“The most important benefit of government openness is that it gives our citizens the tools they need to be actively involved in the issues that affect their lives on a daily basis,” Harper said.  

Visit KateHarper.net to review the state’s contracts database and the PennPIRG report.  

Rep. Kate Harper
61st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(610) 277-3230
(717) 787-2801
Member Site:  KateHarper.net
Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
House Republican Public Relations
(717) 772-9846
Caucus Site:  PAHouseGOP.com