Sup. David Chiu Introduces Transparent Budget Database

It's not often that elected officials request more transparency in their own offices. But on Tuesday, Supervisor David Chiu did just that.

At the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Chiu proposed the creation of a transparent, user-friendly online database outlining all City and County of San Francisco spending. This would allow residents to see exactly where San Francisco's $6.83 billion budget is going at any time.

"We need to create this open budget database to increase transparency and help the public better understand where its money goes," said Chiu. "This proposal is an example of how we can use technology to increase confidence in government and provide the tools that members of the public need to be better informed critics when they see fit."

Similar databases are already in order in the federal government and in many cities like Fort Collins, Colorado.

"It's often difficult for even public officials to get a clear picture of where we are spending the public's money," said Chiu, referencing the often complicated and confusing budget. According to Chiu, a clear, online database would help both officials and the public see where funding goes, and make decisions about its effectiveness in the future.

Honest move or clever mayoral election tactic? We can't say for sure, but we like it either way.