Transparency is the basis of an open, democratic government. As Justice Louis Brandeis said, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” For the past two sessions (2010 and 2011), I have sponsored legislation to shine a little sunlight in the budget process and Virginia’s economic development incentives.
The first bill (HB 1869 in 2011) would have required the General Assembly money committees to issue reports concurrently with the conference budget report to identify any non-state appropriations and other items that were not included in the original budget bills passed by either the Senate or the House, and measures that represent legislation that failed in either chamber during the legislative session. This would create more transparency on the front end of the budgeting process, giving both legislators and the public more information about the conference budget report. The Virginia Family Foundation and the Virginia Coalition for Open Government testified in support of the bill, but an Appropriations subcommittee voted to table the bill.
The budget process needs to be more transparent. Budget items are commonly inserted into the conference report at the last minute which members have never considered, or, in some cases, have rejected. The lack of documentation and accountability for slipping in special “earmarks” is troubling and fuels cynicism about the process.
The Commonwealth would benefit from more transparency in its economic development efforts, too. HB 1870 would have required any business entity receiving public subsidies for the purpose of economic development to file an annual report detailing the actual jobs that are produced. This bill was also tabled, but I will continue to make the case for greater accountability in our development subsidies and tax credits. These grants are made with an understanding that a certain number of jobs will be created. We have a responsibility to ensure that the citizens of the Commonwealth are getting our expected return on our investment.
I co-wrote an opinion essay with my colleague, Republican Delegate R. Lee Ware of Chesterfield discussing the issue of Virginia’s tax credits. You can read it here.
