LegiStorm.com Brings Government Transparency To The People

By stephen on April 2nd, 2009

It’s April and it’s tax season. And if you’re like me, W-2 Forms get you thinking. Thoughts like: “I sure paid a lot taxes this year, I wonder where it all went?” Well, the good news is in. Courtesy of former Capitol Hill reporter Jock Friedly, a new website is available that gives you the full picture on just how much elected officials make and spend – LegiStorm.com. With a few quick clicks, you’ll have complete access to the salaries of local officials. Or what earmark spending looks like in your area. Or what the travel bills of your state’s Senators look like. You know, important things.

Sure, all this information was previously available to the public. But before you had to go to D.C. and search through large books full of tiny print. Now, it’s all online and as easy to find as ever. And of course, this has made some legislatures more than a little unhappy. One Congressman – Mississippi Republican Roger Wicker – even went so far as to try and outlaw the public reports. An effort that went nowhere fast. Which is of course great. Because government could always use some additional transparency.