Commissioner Dana Badgerow
Minnesota Department of Administration
200 Administration Building
50 Sherburne Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Dear Commissioner Badgerow:
On behalf of the more than 7,000 Minnesota members of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), I write to inquire why the online spending database passed into law in 2007 has yet to be launched. As specified by the State Government Omnibus Bill, "The commissioner of administration must maintain a Web site with a searchable database providing the public with information on state contracts, including grant contracts." The law clearly states that the requirements for a grant and contract transparency Web site become effective on January 1, 2008. We're nearing the start of June 2008, and no such Web site has been created.
We believe this failure to comply with the law is a serious abrogation of the public's right to know. This breach of trust is especially disappointing, considering that at least seven states have successfully launched a spending transparency Web site since the start of 2007 (including Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, New York, and Alaska). Many of the Web sites created by these states include far more information than what's required of Minnesota's database. In fact, when one considers the limited reach (just grants and contracts), high threshold for inclusion (over $25,000), and other limitations (exemptions for funds given to governmental units), Minnesota has one of the simpler databases to implement.
Lack of funding isn't an acceptable excuse for inaction, as there are low-cost avenues for creating transparency portals. Missouri, for example, constructed an online database (www.mapyourtaxes.mo.gov) using existing funds and personnel. The programming software used by the Office of Management and Budget to create the federal grant and contract database (www.USASpending.gov) is now available for free. Should manpower be the issue, what about assembling a volunteer taxpayer task force to enter data? If transparency is the goal, this would be a great way to get people involved with both the input and digestion of information. NTU would certainly encourage its members to volunteer for such an effort.
We strongly urge you to implement the grant and contract spending Web site with all due haste. Please contact us if we can provide you with more information on successful implementation of transparency efforts in other states.
Sincerely,
Kristina Rasmussen
Director of Government Affairs
cc:
Governor Tim Pawlenty