Portlanders Can’t Follow the Money

Last week, OSPIRG Foundation released a new report, “Transparency in City Spending: Rating the Availability of Online Government Data in America’s Largest Cities.” This report grades the 30 largest cities in the country on their spending transparency practices and how well they meet the standard for providing residents with online access to comprehensive, one-stop, one-click budget accountability and accessibility.

Disappointingly, Portland is ranked 25th out of the 30 cities graded, with a grade of “D-”. Right now, if Portlanders go online to the city website, they will not be able to adequately find and track how their tax dollars are being spent.

There are many improvements Portland should make to increase transparency. For example, the city should develop a one-stop transparency website and make it easier for citizens to access spending information. The city should provide data that is searchable by city department, keyword, and vendor and is downloadable for data analysis; post historical expenditure data from previous fiscal years; and provide tax subsidy information that lists the benefits specific companies receive from the city’s tax credits, exemptions and abatements.

Transparency has a lot of benefits. It promotes fiscal responsibility, bolsters public confidence in government, and checks corruption. Spending transparency can help Portlanders hold their elected leaders accountable and ensure that tax dollars are being spent appropriately.

Over the next year, Portland should prioritize their efforts to improve online transparency and shine a brighter light on local government spending.

To see the Oregonian’s write up of our report, go here: http://blog.oregonlive.com/portlandcityhall/2013/01/ospirg_gives_portland_a_d-_for.html