E-Transparency
Dear Kentucky Taxpayers:
I am proud to report that, with Governor Steve Beshear's vision and leadership, and the hard work and good ideas of a bi-partisan, inter-agency effort among Executive Branch officials, we have launched "Kentucky's Open Door," a new Web site which will allow all citizens the ability to review all state expenditures and other vital information about state-funded programs. The new Web site's address is www.OpenDoor.ky.gov
In the spring of 2008, Governor Beshear issued an Executive Order to establish the e-Transparency Task Force, a 14-member, bi-partisan panel, and charged it with providing a more transparent, accountable state government that helps eliminate wasteful spending and helps restore public faith in its leaders. What followed was a concerted, expedited, multi-agency effort -- led by officials of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, but involving the hard work and extensive cooperation of representatives of every state agency, including the staffs of the other, independently-elected constitutional officers. The Task Force solicited dozens of ideas from members of the public, some who testified at its public hearings; others who e-mailed their ideas via the Finance Cabinet's Web site.
Kentucky's Open Door is a product of this effort. Some of the features found on the site include:
- Your Money: a section with dozens of helpful charts, graphs and descriptions that summarize state revenues, expenditures and budget priorities.
- Cabiniet/Agency Search: a search engine that provides agency-by-agency data on state expenditures.
- Budget Basics: a tutorial that allows the average citizen to log on and find out basic information on state expenditures, revenues and how budgets are developed.
- Budgeting for Kids: a fully interactive children's section, which utilizes games, cartoons and interactive lessons on budgets and government finance.
- Vendor Income and Expense Watch (V.I.E.W.): a processing effort by Treasurer Todd Hollenbach that allows citizens to search all of the state's vendor and contractor data.
- Links, Links and more Links: providing taxpayers easy access to state audits, investments, tax incentives, election finances and much, much more.
This Web site features the financial data from the statewide accounting system subject to disclosure under current law, through the policy established by the Governor's Task Force.
From the home page, citizens can access a list of features that are coming soon, as well as their estimated arrival dates. Most significantly, the Web site offers an opportunity for citizens to weigh in on efficiency ideas, as well as suggestions for improvements of the site.
Kentucky citizens are encourage to go to www.opendoor.ky.gov to find out more about how their tax dollars are being spent.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Miller
Secretary of Finance and Administration
Chair, e-Transparency Task Force
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Visit the official Web site & contact us to submit your ideas. |
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Check out the Web site! |
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Homepage: A bi-partisan, multi-agency effort led by Governor Steve Beshear to provide a more transparent, accountable state government, and to allow you the opportunity to find out how your tax dollars are being applied to move our state forward.
Kids: Is a fully interactive kids section, which utilizes games, cartoons and interactive lessons on budgets and government finance.
Budget Basics: In Budget Basics you can find out more about how the state budget is made, learn about the state's rainy day fund, and see the state's top appropriations.
Search for Cabinet or Agency Spending: This door allows you to search for state expenditures and find out where your money is being spent.
Your Money and Other State Revenues: The state's money comes from more sources than just taxes. Use this portion of the site to find out more about where state money comes from, where the state spends its money, and where to find out more helpful information about revenues and expenditures.
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