McHOSE AND CHIUSANO CALL ON GOVERNOR TO KEEP PROMISE ON GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION STALLED DESPITE CORZINE'S SUPPORT IN STATE OF STATE ADDRESS Saying that taxpayers deserve accountability as to how state government is doling out funds, Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose and Assemblyman Gary Chiusano, both R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon, called on Governor Jon Corzine to keep at least one promise he made to New Jerseyans. The District 24 legislators are the primary sponsors of legislation in the General Assembly titled the "Transparency in Government Act" that provides for the creation of a single, searchable internet website that would display data on New Jersey's annual revenues, debt and expenditures. Their remarks coincide with those made by state Senator Joseph Pennacchio, R-Morris and Passaic, who made similar comments at press conference today in Trenton, and was joined by several advocacy groups. Pennacchio is the primary sponsor of the senate version of the legislation."There is no legitimate reason for the delay in addressing an issue that the public demands and was promised by the governor six months ago," said McHose. "How many audits and tales of waste have to be revealed before he makes good on a pledge he make to the people of New Jersey? This legislation has languished far too long without any justification."Twenty-two other states have operating websites that show taxpayers how their dollars are spent, and who is receiving them," continued McHose. "New Jersey is late getting into the game because we have a governor who promises much, but delivers little." During budget hearings this spring, state Comptroller Matthew Boxer said the governor had directed him to construct such a website, though no update has been provided that would indicate a workable site is forthcoming. "When the public hears about stimulus funds that are not accounted for properly or a state agency that misappropriates funds such as detailed in the comptroller's recent audit, they are justifiably cynical," said Chiusano. "This legislation would begin to hold government more accountable for how it operates by allowing public access and the opportunity to scrutinize how their taxes are being spent."Maybe the governor is afraid of what the public will see when the website is operational," added Chiusano. "Creating such a site is not breaking new ground. Many states throughout the country already have them. We are not talking about cutting-edge technology, just something that is user-friendly."McHose and Chiusano's legislation (A-1691 and A-3518) establishes an easily accessible source of information via a website to track state revenues and expenditures and to gauge the state's past and present levels of bonded indebtedness. The legislation would help facilitate a bi-partisan approach to improving transparency, identifying waste, and eliminating abuse at each level of state government by allowing residents the opportunity to follow how public tax dollars are disbursed, regardless of party or political affiliations. The legislation is awaiting a hearing by the Assembly Budget Committee. ###