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heraldnet.com


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Send letters to the editor by e-mail to letters@heraldnet.com, by fax to 425-339-3458 or mail to The Herald - Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.

 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Wednesday


81 veterans' names, 81 meaningful lives honored...
USO singer's voice still charms them in Edmonds
Monroe honking case makes it to state Supreme C...
Tuesday


Fire destroys Emory's restaurant
Peggy Pritchard Olson always put Edmonds first
Camano Island burglaries spike: Is Colton back?
Monday


Tree clearing, mud slide angers Everett neighbor
Later start for school day unlikely in Marysville
Hopes for Snohomish excursion train may hinge o...
Sunday


Glacier Peak freshman overcomes jitters to win ...
Gay marriage issue can wait, say Referendum 71 ...
Cities across south Snohomish County see tax re...
Saturday


Thousands honor slain Seattle police officer Ti...
Suspect identified in Seattle police killing
Mountlake Terrace thrilled by high school's fir...
Friday


Officer Timothy Brenton. Gone, but not forgotten
Person sought in officer's killing is shot in head
Thousands to pay respects to slain Seattle poli...
Thursday


Tale of 1916 Everett Massacre retold in style o...
Reservist survived Iraq but not his return to c...
Swine flu suspected in infant’s death
 

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Published: Friday, January 11, 2008

Citizens should be able to track state spending

The Internet can be a great equalizer in the relationship between citizens and their government. Knowledge is power, and the Internet has lots of it. Government can and should encourage citizen involvement by using online tools that open its processes to public view.

Snohomish County will take a big step in that direction next month when it launches a new system that will make video and audio of County Council meetings, along with a host of related documents, available free to the public online.

State government can take its own big step toward online transparency by creating a searchable Web site where citizens can track state spending in plain, understandable English. Such a proposal failed to get a hearing in the Legislature last year, but will be reintroduced by Sen. Val Stevens (R-Arlington) during the short session that begins Monday.

Much of the state's budget information exists online today, but it's a burden for most citizens to find it or make sense of it. It needs to be organized in a way that's accessible and useful.

A user-friendly, searchable budget Web site would enable citizens watchdogs to see how -- and how effectively -- tax money is being spent. It would put accurate information at the fingertips of anyone interested in learning how government is going about its responsibilities. Successes could be built upon, shortcomings more quickly addressed.

There's nothing to keep lawmakers from adopting the proposal this year. Similar sites already exist in Texas and Missouri. A federal version, approved by Congress unanimously, went live last month (usaspending.org). One Washington agency, the Department of General Administration, already has a searchable Web site showing its public contracts. Microsoft stands ready to design it, and costs figure to be low. Democratic state Auditor Brian Sonntag and Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna, two leading voices for open government, have both expressed support.

How the state spends taxpayers' money is a mysterious and convoluted process to most folks. Lawmakers shouldn't be fearful of shining light on it, even if some warts are exposed. The more open government is, the more effective it's likely to become.

1. Emory’s owner fears fire was arson
2. Monroe honking case makes it to state Supreme Court
3. Vatican ponders the souls in space
4. 81 veterans' names, 81 meaningful lives honored in Snohomish
5. Hope dims that Olympics will boost region
6. Student hit in crosswalk to return
7. Smokey Point to celebrate end of roadwork
8. Death on Edmonds waterfront ruled a suicide
9. Help for young moms may continue
10. Semifinal slate sealed on ‘Dancing With Stars’
Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
Bazaar Fever
Hawks proud of historic season
Olson always put Edmonds first
Honoring student veterans
‘Wheedle' author comes to Lynnwood bookshop
Mavs build early lead en route to easy win
Prep football games of the week (state playoffs)
Tears of laughter, tears of grief
Death on Edmonds beach likely a suicide
The Enterprise Online Newspaper


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