Transparency isn’t always comfortable

A hotly-contested tax in Mission, MO has some doubting the merits of transparency. After disclosing a new fee that would go towards fixing roads in the town, bloggers and other media officials are unhappy with what has been dubbed “the driveway tax.”

The fee was established after discussions and hearings, and the municipality announced it in a newsletter.* These transparency efforts lead to the negative reaction from bloggers and media outlets.

Often, the knee-jerk reaction in these situations are a mix of self-preservation, defensive posturing by city officials, and an unwillingness to put information in the public spotlight again.

Transparency isn’t always easy, and just like any job people will not always be happy with the end results. But just like a paper that is proof read, exposing government information to the public will lead to an open, honest, and better performing government entity.

I believe this for all levels of government, from cities like Mission to the Federal level.

* I have not been able to find a website for the city. While it’s obvious city officials are trying, a website would be a positive step for easier access to government information.