Public Should Be Able to See Government-Paid Bills

Public spending should be open to public review. A bill paid with government money is part of how an agency, city or other public body conducts its business, and residents have a clear interest in understanding those expenses.

What the public record can show

A spending record can help residents see what was purchased, who received payment and why the expense was approved. Those details give the public a way to follow how tax dollars and other government funds are used.

Why access matters

Open records allow residents to ask informed questions about government spending. They also give elected officials, public employees and taxpayers a shared record when they review budgets or discuss future expenses.

The basic principle

Government does not pay bills with private money. When a public body pays an expense, the public should have a way to inspect the record, subject to any legal limits that apply to public records.

No government decision, vote or filing is identified here to report as a new development.