EDITORIAL: Louisiana Web Site Lets You Keep An Eye On Your Money
Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Louisianians will be able to keep a much closer eye on how the state spends public money now that the budget office has put a wide range of information on line.

The Web site, at www.prd.doa.la.gov/latrac/index.cfm, debuted this week and it could use a catchier URL. Something like urtaxdollars.gov would be easy to remember.

But the site does make it far easier for regular citizens to find out how much the state spends on everything from salaries and travel expenses to higher education and Medicaid. Instead of having to file a public records request, people will be able to get answers instantly.

The Web site's usefulness will increase as more information is added. Right now, for instance, spending information is available for the Louisiana State University System and its affiliates, but eventually all of the state's public universities and colleges will be included.

Gov. Bobby Jindal ordered the Web site's creation on his first day in office as part of his drive to improve accountability and transparency. During February's special session on ethics, the Legislature followed up with a law requiring the site.