Senate Votes for More Transparency for Local Taxpayers

CONCORD, NH –Senate Majority Leader Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) issued the following statement today on the Senate passing SB 532-FN, requiring all municipalities and school governing bodies to post on their official town or school website within 30 days the amount of funds received by the state either by allocation or grant:

“Granite Staters should know where the money funding local government is coming from so they can make informed decisions on local budgets. This information is often buried deep inside an annual report. Local officials should inform taxpayers when state funds are supporting city, town, and school district expenses. This bill helps improve transparency in local government by requiring municipalities to post online, within 30 days, any funds received from the state. Having local officials post these payments online gives local taxpayers a better understanding of how their community is funded. Currently, cities, towns, and school districts have widely varying ways of sharing this information. Posting state grants and allocations for towns will improve accountability and transparency for local and state elected officials.”