State should follow Congress' lead
When Republican State Attorney General Rob McKenna and Democratic State Auditor Brian Sonntag agree on an idea, Washingtonians would do well to pay attention. Both leaders feverishly pursue policies over politics. Both men have powerful reputations as independent problem solvers.
McKenna and Sonntag support a proposed budget database that would allow taxpayers to research state spending on the Internet. It's a superb idea, and Washingtonians should feel slightly embarrassed that Congress beat our state to the punch. To see the result of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act that was approved last year, visit usaspending.org , which became operational on Dec. 7.
On Monday, state Sen. Val Stevens, R-Arlington, announced she will introduce the Taxpayer Transparency Act in the Legislature's 2008 session, which begins Monday. We hope lawmakers expedite passage of the bill, which carries a noble purpose: "Ordinary people need to have access to the same information as high-paid lobbyists," Stevens said in a written statement. "This bill would pinpoint how the state gets and spends its money. More importantly, it would show our citizens what they're getting for their money."
A similar bill was introduced last year but was not granted a public hearing. We hope that, with Congress setting an example, swift action can be taken this year. Jason Mercier of the Washington Policy Center this week described the proposal as "a win-win for everyone, except possibly for those who fear something embarrassing about public spending might be revealed." Clark County legislators, take note. Constituents will be watching how you vote on this one.
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