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| Rep. James McLean, Lt Gov. Mark A. Darr, and DFA Director Richard Weiss. |
On March 17, 2011 Senate Bill 221, The Arkansas Financial Transparency Act was signed into law. This Act will serve as an online checkbook for Arkansans. This online checkbook will be the first in the nation to have smart phone capabilities. On July1st individuals can go to transparency.arkansas.gov where salary information will be provided on every state employee. On July 6th all expenditures, contracts, revenues and payments to cities and counties will be available for the beginning of fiscal year 2013.
“I am thrilled to know that Arkansans will now be able to go online and track how the state government is spending their money,” stated Lt. Governor Darr. “The online checkbook will show how much a state agency spent, to whom the expenses were paid, and for what amount.” Darr continued, “I believe this transparency will help eliminate wasteful spending and provide the accountability Arkansans deserve. I look forward to seeing more transparency such as the online checkbook being put into action throughout all of state government.”
The Arkansas Financial Transparency Act was introduced into the Senate by Senator Jonathan Dismang of Searcy. “Since my visit last July with Lt. Governor Darr to meet with DFA, incredible progress has been made. This will be an excellent tool for the taxpayers of Arkansas,” stated Dismang. Representative James McLean of Batesville was also a sponsor of this bill. “I was beyond impressed with the incredible work that the Department of Finance and Administration has done in getting this checkbook online and ready to go. I am also appreciative of Lt. Governor Mark Darr for bringing this issue to light.”
In February of 2012 Government Magazine ranked Arkansas as one of seven states to receive an F in online access to government spending.
“With the implementation of the online checkbook we can honestly say Arkansas is moving in the right direction.” Darr stated.
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Lt Gov. Mark A. Darr took office in January 2011 as the state’s 15th Lieutenant Governor. As a strong advocate for government transparency and economic development, Darr ran on the promise of helping to put an end to wasteful spending by implementing an online checkbook. Senate Bill 221, the Arkansas Financial Transparency Act, was signed into law on March 14, 2011. Darr is also a firm believer in utilizing Arkansas’ natural energy resources, through natural gas and lignite exploration. He will continue to promote and encourage the study of the 4.5 billion tons of lignite which has been identified in Arkansas southern region in hopes that it will bring more jobs and economic prosperity.
Tags: Arkansas, Mark Darr, update, Arkansas Government, online checkbook
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