Pushing for Open Government in Indiana
On June 1, 2010 Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson requested information on program cuts from each state agency under the executive branch. The responses received from each agency are available below.
Sen. Simpson's requests specifically posed the following questions:
1. A list of each agency's implemented and proposed cuts and withheld distributions for FY 2010 and 2011 by program
2. The methodology used to determine how cuts are made
3. Implementation dates of all budget cuts and personnel layoffs
4. Expected reversions to date by program
5. Estimated impact of cuts on people served by each program
Agency program cuts in FY2010 and FY2011
Executive Branch agencies (state agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor) were ordered by Gov. Daniels to make budget cuts of 10% in FY2010 and then 15% in FY2011. In response, a total of $352 million was reverted to the general fund by those state agencies in FY2011. For FY2012 and FY2013, state agencies are being asked to cut a total of $30M - or 3% - each year.
While basic information on state agency reversions is made available to the public, it is still largely unknown how the reductions affected individual programs within agencies and how the cuts impactHoosiers served by those programs.
Why is budget and spending transparency important?
The responsibility of writing Indiana's two-year ("biennial") state budget rests with the Indiana General Assembly. Work on the next state budget will begin this fall, and in order for lawmakers to make informed decisions, they need the facts on the current condition of the state's finances and the programs that the state supports. The members of the General Assembly and the public deserve a full understanding of where reductions have been made and how they have affected Hoosiers before moving forward on a new state budget.
The Indiana Open Government Initiative
Senate Democrats developed the Indiana Open Government Initiative to improve transparency in state government budget and spending. The legislative proposal includes the following: (Click each to learn more)
1. One stop online public access to track taxpayer dollars in state budgets, spending and contracts.
2. Corporate accountability for state economic development incentives.
3. Restrict "Pay to play" for fair competition in awarding state contracts.
More about the Senate Democrats' work to promote open government:
June 25, 2010: Simpson comments on agency responses to her budget cut inquiry >
June 24, 2010: Support for Senate Democrats' Open Government Initiative >
June 1, 2010: Press conference audio/video and timeline of previous requests >
January 14, 2010: Press conference video on request to Gov. Daniels for discretionary cut information >
Do you know of a state funding cut that is affecting your community? Please contact Senator Vi Simpson's office with details >