Wisconsin budget measure to increase transparency

Wisconsin is working to increase its budget transparency with a new measure passed along with the budget. Under the terms of the bill state agencies will be required to post information online anytime they spend over $100. However, government watchdogs are skeptical that the measure will actually result in increased transparency.

Currently, state agencies in Wisconsin are required to post information online anytime they spend over $10,000. With the new rules, any time the state spends over $100 agencies will be required to post online information about what was spent, why and with whom. Supporters of the bill applauded the move toward a more transparent state spending process.

However, the measure was passed without any firm timeline for implementation. Government watchdog groups argue that without a requirement for when transparency must be implemented, it is unlikely that the requirement will ever be met. State officials gave the new rules a luke warm reception pointing out that this requires additional administrative work when they are already short staffed due to budget cuts.