Government transparency must be a top priority for every level of government and for every elected and appointed official.
One of the main reasons it is so important is that we cannot assess the job of those who govern on our behalf if we do not have access to what they do.
That?s why every legislator in the state should sign the Harbor League?s “Oath of Public Official Transparency.” The Baltimore City-based Harbor League promotes limited governmentand free markets, but its oath is something everyone should support.
The oath says, “I commit to push and vote for legislation that will make government expenditures including (but not limited to) grants and contracts available on a searchable Web site that is accessible to the public free of charge.”
Most of the time citizens must use the Maryland Public Information Act to request public information on contracts and grants. Fulfilling the request may take months and the cost of processing it can be prohibitive to many people. That makes it easier to hide information.
In the same way that banks make online banking so easy to use, the government could easily post its financial data ? including salaries and overtime of government employees ? in an easily searchable form. Those who pay for government should not have to fight to learn how it works, especially in an era of a $1.5 billion state budget deficit.
And sunshine can only help to purify the grant and contracting process. Knowing citizens can easily scrutinize public official behavior will enforce the highest ethical standards.
If the Harbor League has not already done so, it should email the oath to every state and local legislator in Maryland. We would be happy to list at a later date the names of those with the courage to be accountable to the people. They are the only ones who will put the people?s interest at heart. To send the oath to your legislators, request one from Eli Gold at The Harbor League at [email protected].
