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Other Transparency Measures
Yesterday, I posted an entry about Maryland's new accountability website. There are other states and non-profits that have taken similar efforts. The ones that I came across are: On 01/05/09, Georgia launched the Open Georgia: Transparency in Government - Not only does it provide information, but also solicits feedback from the public. On 01/01/09, Kentucky started the Open Door: Kentucky's Portal to eTransparency. There are plans to provide a new Budget Builder Game and also educational materials. Websites launched in 2007 & 2008 Missouri - Missouri Accountability Portal (MAP) Nebraska - Nebraska.Spending.com Oklahoma - Open Books: Oklahoma's Finances Online Texas - Window on State Government Alaska - Checkbook Online Kansas - KanView Louisiana - Louisiana Transparency and Accountability (LaTrac) Maine - MaineOpenGov.org New York - SeeThroughNY South Carolina - South Carolina Spending Transprency Continue reading
Maryland initiates New Funding Accountability website
The state of Maryland has initiated the new Maryland Funding Accountability website that “allows citizens of Maryland and visitors to search and view summary information on payments made to vendors that received $25,000 or more for the respective fiscal year.” Using this new website, the public can view how their tax money is being spent by the government. At present, information is available only for the 2008 fiscal year. Governor Martin O’Malley stated that the main objective in creating the website was to promote government accountability and transparency. Continue reading
Employment Situation – Commissioner’s Statement from BLS
Keith Hall, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, issued a statement on the current employment situation. The total number of job losses in 2008 was 2.6 million and the rate of unemployment increased from 6.8 % to 7.2 %. He states that it is “the highest rate since January 1993.” Although employment declined in several major industrial sectors, it increased in healthcare. In the last year, 372,000 jobs were added in the healthcare sector. Details of the depressing employment situation are readily available for access. 1) Employment Situation 2) Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) 3) Mass Layoffs (Monthly) 4) Regional and State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) Continue reading
Latest Archive Web Publication from the National Security Archive
Yesterday, the National Security Archive (NSA) released documents that recounted the abuses committed by the Colombian Army. According to the NSA article, these documents describe how the Colombian military officers collaborated with the drug-trafficking paramilitary groups and used death squad tactics to tackle guerrillas. Continue reading
Vivek Kundra – Tech Policy Advisor to Obama Administration
Vivek Kundra, the Chief Technology Officer of Washington, D.C., has adopted an uncommon approach for conducting the daily operations of the District's 86 agencies. YouTube is used to post information regarding the bidding process for city contracts. He and other DC government employees use Google Apps as a collaboration tool and for sharing information. Kundra believes that it encourages government transparency and improves government services. The Washington Post article mentioned that he may be a potential candidate for the new position of Federal Chief Technology Officer, which Obama intends to establish. Continue reading
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