Transparency costs
It's a good idea, but now may not be the time.
Michigan House Republicans are seeking Gov. Jennifer Granholm's support for legislation to increase financial transparency on the Michigan.gov Web site.
Transparency is a good thing. Michigan's Web site includes only financial information from the past fiscal year, and funding is split only into broad categories.
However, state estimates place the price tag near $100 million.
State House Republicans dispute the figure, contending that numerous software companies offer free upgrades for local governments.
The catch is, Michigan would require not only software upgrades but substantial hardware improvements.
Kurt Weiss, spokesman for the Department of Information Technology, said Michigan officials met with technology officials from other states, and none were aware of an adequate free transition system.
Though state officials should work toward a long-term transition, seeking low-cost opportunities as they arise, the benefit of the upgrade does not now warrant the cost.
House Republicans ought to be skeptical of the Department of Information Technology's price estimate, but they should also take seriously the significant upgrades that would be required. It's unlikely that a technology specialist would so grossly overestimate costs.
Michigan's computer system is 20 years old. An upgrade to an Internet-based accountability system would require more than courtesy software. Compatibility issues would abound.
Transparency should be a priority, but it cannot eclipse what the state should be transparent about - expenditures in worthwhile programs, from Medicaid to education.
Right now, upgrading Michigan's system would divert $100 million - or some other large amount of money - from the programs that matter most in improving citizens' lives, even if those citizens cannot as closely track their government.
The extent to which it would benefit the state does not outweigh the opportunities that would be missed. The funding could go toward education, toward roads - even toward more tax cuts.
The current system provides a reasonable level of transparency. Of course it could be improved. Missouri's searchable database runs circles around Michigan's online system.
But dealing with a tight budget requires putting in place priorities. A $100 million Web site upgrade, though nice, cannot be one of them.
That said, Republicans and Democrats should continue working on legislation designed to promote transparency, so long as costs remain reasonable.
