A while back, I wrote a post on presidential candidates taking a stand on transparency with tax dollars, so it didn’t surprise me when I started seeing down-ballot campaigns begin to use open government as a key plank in their platforms. I thought I would begin to randomly post the ideas from campaigns as I come across them. Please note that the posting has nothing to do with party or support from me or the Sam Adams Alliance, but merely should serve as an example of some of the ideas being batted about this election season.

Robert Owens, Independent for Ohio Attorney General, was the first AG candidate to sign Buckeye’s Transparency Pledge. Owens is discussing the need for more openness in state contracts.

Side Note: You can hear my podcast interview discussing Buckeye’s new Transparency Center with Mike Maurer here.

Colorado’s race for Eagle County Commissioner has at least one candidate addressing the need for transparency. The Aspen Times printed a letter to the editor from Debbie Buckley that stated the following:

I believe the county should increase the effort to be transparent by making expenditures available and understandable through the county website. The data should be searchable within categories and be accompanied by a very brief explanation.

True transparency must include ready access to reliable, comprehensive, timely and easily understandable information on spending. Active participation of Eagle County citizens will depend on the ease of use of this system.

Transparency: Less taxpayer dollars spent, More taxpayer faith in government.