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For Immediate
Release
6/30/11
Listen
Senate, House Approve PennWatch Act
House Bill 15 would expand public access to state spending
records
The Senate and House have both approved a measure which is a companion to
legislation (Senate Bill 105) introduced by Senator Pat Browne (R-16) to expand
the public's access to state spending records. House Bill 15 is now awaiting
the Governor's signature.
House Bill 15, introduced by Representative Jim Christiana (R-15) and also
known as the Pennsylvania Web Accountability and Transparency (PennWatch) Act,
would direct the Governor's Office of Administration to create and maintain a
searchable budget database-driven website that the public can access by the end
of 2012.
"This 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 pending and is another
important and essential move in our efforts to increase accountability in state
government."
Under the provisions of HB 15, the "PennWatch" website will provide annual
appropriation information and funding action or expenditure information for all
Commonwealth agencies. The website will identify venders, the amount of funds
they received, and the state agency initiating the funding action or
expenditure.
The legislation also requires:
- PennWatch 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 provide links to each Commonwealth agency Internet website
where available by December 31, 2012.
- PennWatch 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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