Tennessee launches open data portal
The Volunteer State is going to start volunteering more public data.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced last week the launch of Transparent Tennessee, a new Web portal that includes more user-friendly information online for the state’s taxpayers.
“A state government that is accountable to Tennessee taxpayers is an important part of being customer-focused, efficient and effective,” Haslam said. “The advanced function of this website will allow citizens more access to information about how state dollars are spent.”
The new site will include a searchable checkbook that will allow users to find state agency-related expenses, travel reimbursements and other information. The checkbook includes data collected since August 2011, when the state’s new centralized accounting system began.
The site will also include links to public meetings, records information and a page for feedback. Other features include links to state audits and the salary database for state employees.
Transparent Tennessee’s launch comes after the Economic Development Growth Engine of Memphis and Shelby County was voted one of the most transparent economic development organizations in the country by Good Jobs First, a nonprofit research center that studies economic development.
