Montana Recognized as Leader in Transparency in Government Spending

A report recently released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group heralds Montana as a national leader in providing transparency in government spending. According to the “2015 Following the Money” report, Montana received an 92 percent, A- rating for spending transparency, up from 86 percent last year, and 57 percent when Governor Steve Bullock took office.

“An important part of building a more effective government is ensuring a transparent government,” Bullock said. “I put the state’s checkbook online in an easily searchable format so Montanans can see how their tax dollars are being spent and to ensure that state agencies seek new ways to responsibly manage state resources.”

Bullock has made transparency and effective government a pillar of his administration. In his first month in office, Bullock launched Montana’s transparency portal when he announced that he was putting the state’s checkbook online. Since that time, the portal has expanded to include economic development subsidies, tax expenditure and financial reports, contracts, as well as a data portal for additional government data.