The Missouri State Treasurer’s Office hasn’t always made it easy for the public to access its financial books.
And that’s important. The treasurer is the state’s chief financial officer. The office protects taxpayer funds from fraud and abuse, safeguards more than $988 million in unclaimed property, manages a small business and agriculture economic development program, and administers the state’s tax-advantaged college and disability savings plans.
This is our money they manage, and our unclaimed property they hold onto. We have a right to know how the money and property are managed.
In April, Missouri received a D+ grade for financial transparency from the Public Interest Research Group.
Many times in this space, we’ve urged other public agencies to increase their transparency. In this case, the Treasurer’s Office is doing just that.
Last week, Treasurer Eric Schmitt launched a new transparency website called ShowMeCheckbook.mo.gov that makes it easy to look up financial information.
“Missourians have a right to see how their money is being spent and managed in Jefferson City,” he said in a news release, noting the website is “powered by over 20 million individual data points,” making it one of the most comprehensive state government financial data portals in the country.
“Unfortunately, in the past, the state has not provided adequate tools for accessing information about state finances,” Schmitt said. “Show-Me Checkbook gives greater access to state finances by creating a one-stop-shop for information on state spending, revenue, payroll, debt and cash flow.”
Websites such as this can save money, the Treasurer’s Office claims, reporting that Texas saved $163 as a result of a similar website, and North Carolina said their accountability website led to reforms of the state purchasing laws.
You might be able to be the spark in Missouri for such change. Schmitt is asking Missourians who find interesting or concerning data trends through the website to contact his office through the submission link that appears on the bottom of each page of the website.
We criticize public agencies/officials when they are not transparent, but we would prefer to commend those who are.
Kudos to the state Treasurer’s Office for doing the right thing for Missourians.
News Tribune