Legislation Assembly Democrats Paul Moriarty, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Angela McKnight sponsored to require the state to create and maintain a comprehensive public website with state expenditure data recently gained approval from the General Assembly.
“A state expenditure website would provide New Jersey residents with an easily accessible and comprehensive one-stop source for information,” said Moriarty (D-Camden/Gloucester). “Taxpayers have a right to be able to go online and find out where their money is going.”
The bill (A-747) would require the state treasurer to, by July 1, 2018, design and develop, maintain and operate a single, searchable website with detailed information concerning state expenditures, including, but not limited to, purchases, contracts or agreements and grants, awards or loans. The site would be organized chronologically by fiscal year, with additional consideration for the type of expenditure and the associated state agency. The website would allow for public comments regarding its utility and recommendations for its improvement.
“More than a dozen states have websites that allow residents to examine data on the state’s expenditures,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “Requiring such a website in New Jersey would improve transparency and accountability and simplify the process of accessing information concerning the allocation and spending of tax dollars.”
“Hard-working New Jersey residents who pay taxes have a right to know how every penny is spent,” said McKnight (D-Hudson). “Putting that information online is one way the state can provide taxpayers with a better sense of exactly what their money is funding.”
The measure, which received unanimous Assembly approval on Thursday, now awaits Senate consideration.