Pennacchio’s Expanded “Transparency in Government Act” Clears Senate Committee

February 1, 2010

Contact: Bill Murray / (609) 292-5199
Senator Joe Pennacchio, Transparency in Government

Pennacchio’s Expanded “Transparency in Government Act” Clears Senate Committee

Amended Legislation Will Include All Levels of Government

Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris/Passaic) that would create a user friendly easy to navigate web site that would allow taxpayers to see how their money is being spent, unanimously passed the Senate State Government Committee today. The bill was amended to include all levels of government in New Jersey.

“I am very grateful that one of Chris Christie’s first official acts as Governor was to issue an executive order bringing greater openness and accountability to state spending,” Pennacchio stated. “It is now time to codify this executive order and make it an official law.”

Senator Pennacchio first introduced his Transparency in Government Act last year and has been aggressively pushing for its passage. The bill would create a simple, searchable Web site that taxpayers can use to track state spending. The expanded bill would require county, municipal and state authorities to work in concert with the Treasurer to create a transparent web site.

“A number of states have already started to empower taxpayers to track their tax dollars virtually at a mouse click,” Pennacchio continued. “The state can easily provide information in a user-friendly format that can be accessed from homes, libraries and businesses. It is long past time that we listen to taxpayers who are demanding that Trenton be accountable.”

Pennacchio concluded, “In addition to Governor Christie, I am also appreciative of my colleagues, Senator Tom Kean (R-Union) and Senator Dick Codey (D-Essex), who have sponsored this legislation with me, as well as Senator Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic), the new Senate State Government Committee Chair, who posted this important bill on the first day the committee convenes.”