Sen. Richard J. Codey (D., Essex), another sponsor, said taxpayers deserved unfettered, unrestricted access to information about how government spent their money.
"The public's business cannot be conducted in the dark, and the best disinfectant to guard against government corruption is public scrutiny," Codey said. "This bill would finally open up all government spending records for public review in New Jersey."
The bill would require the state treasurer and chief technology officer to design a searchable website that would include data dating to fiscal 2000.
Among the data that would be accessible to the public are disbursements by state agencies, receipts and deposits by state agencies, agency earnings, annual state bonded indebtedness, bond debt services, salaries and wages, contractual service purchases, capital outlay and improvements, aid to local units of government, annual state revenue, taxes, and federal grants. Any data deemed private, personal, or confidential by state or federal law would not be posted.
Local and county government officials and publicly funded boards, agencies, and authorities would also be required to cooperate with the state's efforts on the website. Those that receive direct funding or grants from the state would also have to provide information on the website about the annual bonded indebtedness of the entity.
The bill calls for the website to be created by July 1, 2011. Gov. Christie is expected to sign the bill if it is passed.
Contact staff writer Adrienne Lu at 609-989-8990 or alu@phillynews.com.
