The states are called the “laboratories of democracy” because they can test different policy ideas. Every state has some particularly good policies that are worth emulating in other states. This series aims to give examples of successful reforms that Maryland could borrow to improve its own policies.

Spending transparency is something almost everyone can agree on: We all want to know how our government is spending taxpayers’ money so that we can better judge if policymakers are serving the public interest well. Corruption and graft are the obvious concerns with government spending, though the more common problem is inefficient use of tax monies: policies aren’t delivering the public benefits they should achieve for what they cost.

In Ohio, the State Treasurer’s Office has launched an excellent web-based transparency tool to show taxpayers where their money is going. Dubbed ‘Ohio Checkbook,’ the website puts every state expense online, in real time. Spending can be searched by topic, recipient, and agency, and users can chart spending over time and across agencies. The site even provides contact information for the government employee responsible for each expenditure.

Taxpayers, journalists, and even government officials can use the tool to understand spending and seek out savings. Journalists can, and do, use it to seek out graft and waste. Taxpayers can find dubious expenses and opportunities for reform. Agency officials can see supplier costs at other agencies and can seek out cost savings.

In contrast, Maryland’s financial transparency is poor. Web visitors can obtain some basic records on the Department of Budget and Management website, but the system is hard to use and not particularly detailed in what it produces. Ease of use matters, and Maryland can do better. The state would do well to create a website similar to Ohio’s, as that would certainly help to shine light on the way the state does business.