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I have been spending some time this weekend searching for initiatives that work around the nation that could help the town curb spending and improve government efficiency. One of the best initiatives is an online site that the Texas State Comptroller's office initiated: WHERE THE MONEY GOES.
I would like to implement this kind of online database in Greenburgh ---you, the taxpayer, should be given maximum information as to how every penny of your tax dollar is spent.
Check this site out---your feedback is appreciated. We can build on this --hopefully we'll be able to make our site even better.
PAUL FEINER


EYEING A STATE'S SPENDING ONLINE If a resident, reporter, vendor, government watchdog or even a sta te employee wants to know how Texas spent $74.5 billion last year, it's as easy as looking it up online. The state comptroller's office launched a new database, Where the Money Goes, that details spending by all state agencies and institutions of higher education. The new tool lets users search state expenditures by agency, payee, spending category and purchasing classification, and gives transaction details that include amounts and dates, name of the agency making the payment and name of the payee. The database is automatically updated at the end of every day, and also features best practices for government purchases, a glossary of terms and a spotlight on government savings. The site encourages visitors to submit best practices, and hopes the transparency will lead to new efforts to curb spending and improve government efficiency. Texas' site joins similar efforts in Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Hawaii and Missouri.
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