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For Immediate
Release
4/27/11
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Watch
Senate Approves Senator Browne's PennWatch
Act
Senate Bill 105 would expand public access
to state spending records
The Senate yesterday approved a measure introduced by Senator
Pat Browne (R-16) to expand the public's access to state
spending records.
Senate Bill 105 is also known
as the Pennsylvania Web Accountability and Transparency
(PennWatch) Act. It would direct the Independent Fiscal office
to create and maintain a searchable, database-driven budget
website that the public can access by the end of 2012.
"My proposal is a follow-up to government reform measures
already approved by the General Assembly and the rules adopted
by the Senate. We have taken major steps to improve the way we
disclose information to the residents of the Commonwealth,"
Senator Browne said. "I believe the searchable database created
by this legislation will provide transparency to state spending
and is another important and essential move in our efforts to
increase accountability in state government."
Under the provisions of SB 105, the "PennWatch" website will
provide annual appropriation information and funding actions or
expenditure information for all Commonwealth agencies. The
website will identify vendors, the amount of funds they
received, and the state agency initiating the funding actions or
expenditure.
The legislation also requires:
- PennWatch to show unrestricted state revenue that has
been received and deposited in the General Fund and Motor
License Fund for every month starting December 31, 2012.
- PennWatch to provide links to each Commonwealth agency
Internet website where available by December 31, 2012.
- PennWatch to provide the total number of individuals
employed by each Commonwealth agency on a monthly basis
starting September 1, 2013. Requires "PennWatch" show the
name, position title and annualized salary of each
individual employed by each Commonwealth agency.
Contact:
Lesley Darrin
(717) 787-1349
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