The Transparency.gov Petition

If it were easier to figure out exactly how our tax revenue is spent, there'd be an even greater incentive for lawmakers and government officials to ensure those tax dollars aren't wasted or mismanaged.

Help us send our message to Beacon Hill by signing our petition to Massachusetts' lawmakers.

MASSPIRG's Transparency.gov Petition

We support a transparent state budget.

The ability to see how government uses the public purse is fundamental to democracy.

Budget transparency:
•    Promotes efficiency;
•    Checks corruption; and
•    Bolsters confidence in government.

The bill, An Act Relative to Transparency in State Revenues and Expenditures (SB1410 and HB 2972), directs the state to create and maintain a searchable online Web site detailing the costs, recipients, and purposes for all appropriations, including contracts, grants, subcontracts, tax expenditures and other subsidies funded by the state government. The database will include state revenue sources and expenses including the “quasi-government” agencies and be updated on a regular basis.

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Other Actions

Protect Massachusetts' businesses by closing the corporate tax loopholes
Preserve our Consumer Protections
Urge Your State Representative to close corporate tax loopholes
Good News and Bad News on Corporate Tax Loopholes
Behind closed doors
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No on Question 1

One Good Reason for Transparency.gov

With our new Transparency.gov campaign, we're pushing Beacon Hill to create a Web site with a searchable version of the state budget.

There are plenty of good reasons for lawmakers to get behind our Transparency.gov campaign. Help us pick the reason you think will convince our legislators.

Choose from this list, or enter your own below.

	What's the best reason for Transparency.gov?
	Transparency and accountability go hand-in-hand. A transparent government allows citizens, the media and watchdog groups to hold government officials accountable.
	We can track deliveries and check cellphone minutes online. We shouldn't be left in the dark about how our tax dollars are spent.
	To clean up the ethics mess, we should remember what Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said: "Sunlight is the best disinfectant."
	It will help us save money through more efficient government operations, make contracting bids more competitive, and lower risk of fraud.
	Twenty-one other states already have comprehensive, one-stop, one-click budget accountability and accessibility. Massachusetts shouldn’t be left behind.
	According to a 2008 Harris Poll, 90% of Americans believe they are entitled to transparent information on how the government manages its finances.
	The ability to see how government uses the public purse is fundamental to democracy.
	It's bi-partisan. This is the kind of proposal supported by both Democrats and Republicans.
	An open, transparent government will allow the public to see real reform and rebuild confidence in our government.
	If it were easier to figure out exactly how our tax dollars are spent, there'd be even greater incentive for government officials to ensure those tax dollars aren't wasted or mismanaged.
Have another reason? Type it in here!
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Urge Your Legislators to Support Budget Transparency

Please take a moment to e-mail your state representative and senator. Ask them to weigh in with their colleagues on the budget conference committee in favor of including the budget transparency Web site in the final budget bill

Follow these 3 easy steps to help out.
1. Look over the message below, and feel free to add your own comments. Using your own words makes the message more meaningful.
2. Sign the letter by filling in the form below. We will not share your information with anyone else.
3. Click the button to send your message.

Subject Line	Tell Budget Conference Committee To Support Transparent Budget Web site
Letter	Dear legislator, Please tell the Budget Conference Committee to include the State Budget Transparency Web site in the final budget by specifically including two transparency amendments: 1. The Senate outside section 7A – State Budget Transparency Web Portal 2. The House outside section 15 instead of the companion Senate section 25, as the House version fosters more transparency (includes disclosure of the corporate recipients of the tax credits). This is a common sense reform which is long overdue.
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ISSUES

Tax & Budget Policy

The Transparency.gov Petition

MASSPIRG's Transparency.gov Petition

Other Actions

One Good Reason for Transparency.gov

Urge Your Legislators to Support Budget Transparency

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