Last week the U.S. Public Interest Research Group published a transparency scorecard for every state in the country that assessed their ability to publish their spending online. The scorecard map operates on the belief that there is a new standard for accountability and accessibility, one where spending records are searchable and detailed online.

The 'Following the Money 2011' study [pdf link] classified nine states as "leading states" that published detailed information on grants and economic activities of the government online, even publicizing tax expenditures. Most fell into the "emerging states" category where basic steps were taken to supply residents with less granular information or did not make the data searchable. Finally, the "lagging states" section highlighted the ten least transparent states who did not populate their websites with relevant spending information and Maine doesn't even allow public access to their data. The study notes that there is no partisan leaning between states that excel or fail to provide citizens with this data.

As the press clamors to champion or chide their governments, we hope the states continue to study up on this subject and improve their standings next year. It also couldn't hurt to move the goals posts a little farther too - putting your checkbooks online is a pretty obvious homework assignment for this year kids.

Be sure to look up how your state ranks on the Following the Money map and encourage them to continue the work.

We are proud to announce that the Sunlight Foundation is now part of the “Show Me the Spending Coalition."  The coalition is primarily sponsored by National Taxpayers Union and the Sam Adams Alliance but has a member roster of more than 30 other organizations. Ellen and I have written about their work in the past.

Since our support of OMB Watch’s Fedspending.org, Taxpayers for Common Sense's earmarks work and advocacy for USASpending.gov we have come to see that spending databases are one of the best transparency measures government can take. It is common sense to tell taxpayers where their money is going.

Show Me the Spending is asking all states to take transparency seriously and the first and easiest thing they can do is to tell people what they are spending money on.   Check out the coalitions work and also the Sunshine Review’s wiki and start exploring ways to bring transparency to your state and town.

Real transparency has to be achieved at every level of government so elected officials know that there is no where to hide from the Sunlight.  Let's get to work.