Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Saxman: "Show me the money"

Del. Chris Saxman (R-20th House) has headed up the Virginia Cost Cutting Caucus for years. As they say on their website:
The Virginia Cost Cutting Caucus believes that a more transparent, accountable and competitive government will yield better services at a lower cost to the taxpayers. Started in 2001, we work to foster a meaningful dialogue within the legislature on spending practices and substantive reform.
Today he writes:
Show me the money!! Movie buffs everywhere will immediately think "Jerry Maguire," but for those of us here at the Cost Cutting Caucus, "show me the money" makes our minds go right to state spending.

It's something we've been hammering on for years (and just as enthusiastically as Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr. in their memorable scene). For some thoughts on transparency, see here, here, here, here, and here, just to name a few.

We're definitely all for greater transparency, which helps taxpayers hold government accountable for the tax dollars that they spend. Once again this year, several Virginia lawmakers are pushing for legislation to create more transparency in state spending.

From the NVDaily:
When it comes to taxpayer dollars, government should be completely transparent, according to one local legislator.

Legislation working its way through the General Assembly aims to make sure that happens.
Senate Bill 936, patroned by Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel, R-Upperville, Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, R-Fairfax, and others would require the state to build a searchable database of all spending in a "format designed to encourage the greatest amount of use by the general public."
Say it with us... "Show me the money!"
Virginia Cost Cutting Caucus ... watching out for our tax money.

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