ATLANTA (Feb. 8, 2010) – Today, Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) unveiled legislation promoting further transparency and savings in government. The Transparency in Government Act will enhance reporting requirements of the public information website, open.georgia.gov. The Paper Reduction Act will bring cost savings by reducing the unnecessary, wasteful use of paper and increase electronic distribution and publication practices.
“Economic struggles encourage efficiency and the Paper Reduction Act is just one small way to save money and bring state government into the 21st century,” said Butterworth. “Increasing transparency and enhancing open.georgia.gov is a priority of mine and will allow the public the information they deserve.”
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle was also in attendance at the press conference. He added his support by saying:
“I applaud Senator Butterworth for his work and leadership to bring savings and enhance transparency in state government. In this economy, every dollar counts and that is why we need to identify every avenue possible to save money. It is also why taxpayers deserve the right to know how their hard-earned money is spent.
“Businesses have long practiced the move from paper to paperless and have seen real cost savings. There is no reason state government should not do the same to not only promote the financial savings found in reducing the entire printing process, but to also lessen environmental impact. At the end of the day, our goal is for the state’s checkbook to be open and available to taxpayers, who provide our ultimate accountability,” said Lt Governor Casey Cagle.
These bills come from recommendations expected to be included in the final report from the Budget Task Force, which is comprised of experienced business leaders and accounting professionals who will provide recommendations to the Senate regarding both short and long-term budget solutions. These solutions include consolidation of services, greater efficiency and cutting unnecessary spending. The group was tasked with identifying new ways to balance the budget without drastic cuts to essential services or raising taxes in this economy. Lt. Gov. Cagle and Senate leadership announced the task force in early January and expect a final report in February.
The Transparency in Government Act will expand the public information website open.georgia.gov to include all three branches of government, any regional education service agency, all local boards of education, federal pass through dollars and contracts and expenditures made by the General Assembly. With this legislation, the General Assembly, will be included in the auditing and tracking functions of open.georgia.gov, run by the Department of Audits and Accounts. This bill ensures all fiscal actions of the entire legislative arm of state government are available for the general public to find.
The Paper Reduction Act is a prescription to save time and money, and increase efficiency. It will mandate electronic distribution and publication in state government, unless printing is necessary by a legal standard. This will provide easier, more instantaneous access to government information as well as cut costs of printing, paper, and mailing.
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Sen. Jim Butterworth represents the 50th Senate District which includes Towns, Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Banks, Franklin, and Hart counties along with a portion of White County. He can be reached by phone at 404.463.5257 or by email at jim.butterworth@senate.ga.gov.
For Immediate Release:
February 8, 2010
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Katie Wright, Communications Associate
Katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028