Bush Signs Bill To Allow Taxpayers To View Government Spending Online
Bush Signs Bill to Allow Taxpayers to View Government Spending Online
WASHINGTON — President Bush said Tuesday that Americans will now be able to "Google their tax dollars," as he signed a law to create an online database for tracking about $1 trillion in government spending on grants and contracts.
The law is aimed preventing wasteful spending by opening the federal budget to greater scrutiny. The information is already available, but the Web site would make it easier for those who aren't experts on the process to see how taxpayer dollars are being spent.
"Information on earmarks will no longer be hidden deep in the pages of a federal budget bill, but just a few clicks away," Bush said in a signing ceremony. "This legislation will give the American people a new tool to hold their government accountable for spending decisions. When those decisions are made in broad daylight, they will be wiser and they will be more restrained."
Bush signed the bill in the Old Executive Office Building next to the White House, sitting before lawmakers and Internet bloggers who helped get it through Congress.
Senate leaders had tried to pass the bill in early August but Rep. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., blocked passage by lodging secret "holds" on the bill. The bloggers tracked down those responsible for the delay and the senators let the bill advance under the pressure.
The law calls for the Web site to go online by Jan. 1, 2008. It will list federal grants and contracts greater than $25,000, except for those classified for national security reasons.
"The Web site will allow our citizens to go online, type in the name of any company, association, or state or locality and find out exactly what grants and contracts they've been awarded," Bush said.
"By allowing Americans to Google their tax dollars, this new law will help taxpayers demand greater fiscal discipline," Bush said.
Read Story Here
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Well this bill was not the topic of much conversation last week and I think it should have been. Until President Bush get's Line Item Veto Power, we soon can see who is shoving pork barrel spending down our throats :-) This is a great idea which I'm sure will tick off both houses of Congress, but hey, it's OUR MONEY!!!!
WASHINGTON — President Bush said Tuesday that Americans will now be able to "Google their tax dollars," as he signed a law to create an online database for tracking about $1 trillion in government spending on grants and contracts.
The law is aimed preventing wasteful spending by opening the federal budget to greater scrutiny. The information is already available, but the Web site would make it easier for those who aren't experts on the process to see how taxpayer dollars are being spent.
"Information on earmarks will no longer be hidden deep in the pages of a federal budget bill, but just a few clicks away," Bush said in a signing ceremony. "This legislation will give the American people a new tool to hold their government accountable for spending decisions. When those decisions are made in broad daylight, they will be wiser and they will be more restrained."
Bush signed the bill in the Old Executive Office Building next to the White House, sitting before lawmakers and Internet bloggers who helped get it through Congress.
Senate leaders had tried to pass the bill in early August but Rep. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., blocked passage by lodging secret "holds" on the bill. The bloggers tracked down those responsible for the delay and the senators let the bill advance under the pressure.
The law calls for the Web site to go online by Jan. 1, 2008. It will list federal grants and contracts greater than $25,000, except for those classified for national security reasons.
"The Web site will allow our citizens to go online, type in the name of any company, association, or state or locality and find out exactly what grants and contracts they've been awarded," Bush said.
"By allowing Americans to Google their tax dollars, this new law will help taxpayers demand greater fiscal discipline," Bush said.
Read Story Here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well this bill was not the topic of much conversation last week and I think it should have been. Until President Bush get's Line Item Veto Power, we soon can see who is shoving pork barrel spending down our throats :-) This is a great idea which I'm sure will tick off both houses of Congress, but hey, it's OUR MONEY!!!!
posted by Marie's Two Cents | 3:33 AM
4 Comments:
This sounds like a good idea, i would love to see where my money is going, you have a nice page here.
Even if they posted online what governemnt spend and how it's spend, it will not stop the waste. The truth will never be told.
They could post on the sight that 1 billion dollars went to fund hospitals nationwide. In reality only 1 million went to hospitals and the rest being wasted on pork or some other government study for an answer we already know.
Anon,
This sounds like a good idea, i would love to see where my money is going, you have a nice page here.
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I would too. Thank You
Penn,
Even if they posted online what governemnt spend and how it's spend, it will not stop the waste. The truth will never be told.
They could post on the sight that 1 billion dollars went to fund hospitals nationwide. In reality only 1 million went to hospitals and the rest being wasted on pork or some other government study for an answer we already know.
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If posted online, it would be pretty darn hard to cover up where ALL of our money is going!
It may not stop the waste entirely, but it will sure get some people on some people's behind's about it.
It's a start!
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