NebraskaSpending.com: Follow our lead

Shane Osborn, State Treasurer of Nebraska, has been aggressively promoting NE’s new transparency website, NebraskaSpending.com. Treasurer Osborn has said that he hopes to set a national example for transparency- and with his new website upgrades, he is definitely a leader on the issue.

The site originally featured agency budgets and programs, taxes levied, and a chart with historical budgets. New upgrades to the site now allow taxpayers to review $20K+ contracts, $500K+ expenditures, detailed information on 93 counties, and data regarding Nebraska’s Operating Investment Pool.

Although I have been (rightfully) accused of being a data junkie, my favorite part of the site was Osborn’s description of his job:

As State Treasurer, my office is responsible for the receipting and disbursing of all state funds, which includes accurately recording these transactions and informing the Legislature through a yearly report on the state’s financial picture. Further, as a public servant, I believe elected officials have a duty to show the public how their tax dollars are being spent right down to the last penny.

We couldn’t agree more. Great work.