Herbert's new Web site promotes government transparency

Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, who will soon take over as governor of the state, stepped into that role Tuesday to unveil a new government-transparency Web site.

"A common complaint people have is, 'We don't know what government is doing,' " Herbert said, promising the public now has a way "to hold our feet to the fire."

The new site, www.transparent.utah.gov, made its debut at a press conference in the ceremonial Gold Room at the Capitol, the same place Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. announced to Utahns the day before that he will be stepping down to become ambassador to China.

Just when Herbert will become governor, though, is still unclear. Huntsman said he will not resign until his appointment by President Barack Obama is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, a process that could take weeks or even months. But Huntsman said he intended for Herbert to take over many of his public duties as he prepares in private for his new position with the Obama administration.

The sponsor of the legislation that created the new Web site, Sen. Wayne Neiderhauser, R-Sandy, joked at the press conference about whether to call Herbert Utah's "to-be-governor-soon."

The senator said the Web site represents "government by the people. It will empower them to know what's happening in the state with their tax dollars." He predicted it could end up saving taxpayers millions of dollars, in part because so many more eyes on government will discourage fraud.

More than 4 million state-government financial transactions from the budget year that began July 1, 2008, can now be accessed and sorted in a variety of ways, including by department or by vendor.

For example, to date, the state has paid Utah Interactive $115,200 to develop the site.

The site does not include state-employee salaries, something that state Division of Finance Director John Reidhead said is still being discussed by the state transparency board.

He said some data is being screened out because of privacy concerns, including the names of undercover law enforcement agents.

The bill creating the state site was approved by the 2008 Legislature.

Last session, lawmakers approved requiring local governments to post their financial information, too.

Niederhauser said school districts, charter schools and transit districts will have to make their information available online by May 15, 2010, while cities, counties and special districts have until May 15, 2011.

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