House Bill 40 simply helps secure Ohio’s progress on transparency and government accountability by codifying the Ohio Checkbook initiative. As the Committee is undoubtedly aware, such codification will help protect Ohio Checkbook from blustery political winds that might threaten to uproot this important program down the road.

Of course, even with a codified Ohio Checkbook, much work remains to be done before Ohio and her local governments reach full fiscal transparency. Ohio has thousands of local governmental bodies and taxing authorities. As we noted in our study of Ohio’s local governments, Joining Forces, Ohio has an average of 41 separate taxing authorities per county ranging from townships to schools to library districts.  Cuyahoga County alone boasts over 100 local government entities—and all of them require greater transparency and accountability.[2]

Especially today, as the General Assembly debates the adequacy of local government resources, a brighter light must shine on all levels of state and local government spending. Without proper lighting, taxpayers remain in the dark, lacking ready access to the information they need to hold their elected representatives and public officers accountable.

The Buckeye Institute applauds the cooperative relationship forged between Mr. Mandel’s office and many of Ohio’s local governments. Hundreds of local governments already have displayed their own “checkbooks” online at Ohio Checkbook. But this effort is just the beginning. True transparency won’t be achieved until every governmental unit has made its account books fully available online for you, me, and every Ohio taxpayer to inspect.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to answering any questions that the Committee might have.