CLARKESVILLE (June 10, 2010) – The Transparency in Government Act (SB 389) and the Paper Reduction Act (SB 388) were signed into law by Gov. Sonny Perdue. Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) authored the 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.
“We must take every opportunity to instill long-term, cost-saving practices in state government,” said Butterworth. “Citizens rightfully demand transparency and accountability from their government. The expanded monitoring functions of open.georgia.gov and the efficiency created by the Paper Reduction Act ensure Georgia’s government remains ‘for the people.’”
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.
These bills come from recommendations included in the final report from the Budget Task Force, which was comprised of experienced business leaders and accounting professionals who provided recommendations to the Senate regarding both short and long-term budget solutions. These solutions included 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 early in the 2010 Legislative Session.
SB 388, The Paper Reduction Act is effective immediately and SB 389, the Government Transparency Act will be effective on July 1, 2010.
Sen. Jim Butterworth serves as chairman of the State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. He 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.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
June 10, 2010
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Deputy Director
Katie Wright, Communications Associate
katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028