Colorado Spending Transparency

Taxpayers may think they are the only ones footing the bill for government spending.  State Representative Amy Stephens discovered that gifts, grants and donations are often used to fund interim committees and pilot programs established in various pieces of legislation. Stephens bill, HB 10 1178

directs any state agency that receives gifts, grants and donations to make an annual report to the General Assembly.  Beginning in 2011, the report will list each gift, grant or donation received; its source and use; and its impact on the sustainability of certain programs. Upon receipt of a gift, grant or donation from a non-governmental entity, a state agency is to request a letter from the donor that specifies the amount, duration, purpose, and bill number if applicable.

Those are important words.  This legislation acknowledges that “non-governmental” entities, such as non-profits, may fund legislation and programs.  Funding from non-profits is a creative way to maintain or develop new programs.  COST doesn’t discourage the practice, but taxpayers have a right to know which organizations are funding programs to expand government.

Oddly, the bill has a fiscal note of just under $1 million.  COST can’t believe that state agencies aren’t doing this already.

Transparency in the Use of Grant Moneys passed out of the House on third reading with a 63-1 vote, despite our Transparency Czarina’s prediction that it would be killed. Sometimes it’s okay to be wrong.