Tragically, California is not alone. Ohio, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Minnesota, as well as the other 45 other states do not fare better when it comes to letting their citizens, especially those bearing the burden of state taxes, know where and how their money is being spent.
It is as if, once we pay our taxes, our state leaders believe the money is now theirs to spend as they see fit. It isn’t. Even after we pay our taxes, it’s still our money.
Citizens in all fifty states work hard for the money they pay into state government. That hard work obligates state government elected officials to be exceptional stewards of tax dollars. Because there is considerable doubt regarding stewardship, citizens must now press for real transparency so there can be accountability and we all can see the return on those investments in programs and services.
Without a movement in this direction, we will see little progress for our children and grand children, all the while hearing from our state officials about what a wonderful job they are doing.
