Many important issues, decisions and ideas will be discussed this session, but I want to begin by placing a magnifying glass on government operations in an effort to reinstate Floridians’ faith in our state government and its spending decisions.
Elected officials are merely individuals whom their neighbors have chosen to entrust with the responsibility of making decisions for their family and community. With that responsibility, comes an obligation of accountability to those who have trusted in their officials. Honesty and transparency stand as the foundation of that very trust.
Speaking forthrightly is essential to passing real, long-term solutions. Portraying a rosy picture, while Florida is facing unprecedented challenges, leaves false impressions on Florida’s families. Floridians must have access to factual information regarding their government’s operations and decisions and must be provided with a method to make meaningful suggestions based on that very information.
It is for that reason that the Florida Senate is crafting legislation to enhance transparency in state spending.After all, the money we allocate to services and programs is not our money. It is your money and we are mere stewards.
This new age means of accountability will be introduced in an online, user-friendly manner where Florida’s budget will be posted line by line, with in-depth information on agency, office and program spending. Every state expenditure needs to be visible in the light of day – open to scrutiny. If an expenditure is not legitimate, it should be eliminated. Details regarding Florida’s spending decisions will no longer lie in the shadows.
This legislation is one of many steps to ensure that every function of government is held to the highest standards of performance and the most rigorous tests of scrutiny.
