“We might hope to see the finances of the Union as clear and intelligible as a merchant’s books, so that every member of Congress and every man of any mind in the Union should be able to comprehend them, to investigate abuses, and consequently to control them.”
-Thomas Jefferson

Information technology is giving us the exciting opportunity to fulfill the democratic vision of our founders. A number of states have created searchable online databases of public expenditures. You’ll notice that Massachusetts is not one of them. It appears that the MA legislature is considering making such a portal , just as 31 states have already done. If anyone has special insight into this bill, please share!

Massachusetts taxpayers also have the benefit of an independent watchdog in the State Auditor. The current Auditor Joe DeNucci is not running for reelection. Kamal Jain , a Republican and IT businessman looking to replace him, has made creating an online database his primary issue. He promises not to miss a penny… and I believe him. Kamal Jain has been an advocate for Massachusetts budget transparency for years – he’s running as a passionate activist and a savvy technology professional, not a GOP party insider.