(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) President Tom Schatz issued a statement in support of House Bill (HB) 46, which would codify State Treasurer Josh Mandel’s Ohio Checkbook initiative into law.  The statement follows:

“On behalf of the more than 57,000 members and supporters of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) in Ohio, I am expressing our support for HB 46, which would codify the Ohio Checkbook initiative developed by State Treasurer Josh Mandel.

“On April 15, 2015, HB 46 was passed by the House of Representatives, and the measure has been the subject of hearings before the Senate Finance Committee.  The bill requires the Ohio State Treasurer to establish and maintain the Ohio state government expenditure database, and make the database available on the treasurer’s website, and include information about expenditures made in each fiscal year. 

“The state of Ohio is leading the nation in transparency in government through its use of the Ohio Checkbook.  This unique database has opened the books on spending in state government, and has also been adopted by more than 100 municipal entities, including cities, counties, school districts, and libraries across the state.

“In 2013, Ohio ranked 46th in spending transparency.  Under the Ohio checkbook initiative, the state has leaped to the number one spot as the most transparent state in the U.S., according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.  Ohio’s leadership in promoting transparency in spending is commendable, and passage of HB 46 in the Senate will guarantee the continuation of the Ohio Checkbook long after the current state treasurer leaves office.  On behalf of CCAGW, I strongly urge the Senate to approve HB 46.”

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste is the lobbying arm of Citizens Against Government Waste, the nation’s largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.

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