Today , however, steps were taken to ensure that there are checks and balances on the "back end", to empower citizens to be the watchdog of their government.  It is the citizens basic right-to-know.

Sen. Charles Copeland and Rep. Greg Lavelle introduced  a series of 5 bills known as the Delaware Taxpayer Coalition's "2008 Fiscal Transparency Package."

• SB 184 -This Act requires the creation of a searchable budget database website to allow taxpayers to access details of how their tax dollars are being spent.
• SB 185 - This Act requires the creation and maintenance of a searchable website for contracts entered into by school districts and charter schools.
• SB 186 - This Act requires each school district and charter school to post its checking account activity (other than payroll checks) on its website. It also requires pay and benefits to be posted by job title at the beginning of each fiscal year
• SB 187 - This Act requires each state agency to post its checking account activity (other than payroll checks) on its website. It also requires pay and benefits to be posted by job title at the beginning of each fiscal year.
• SB 188 - This Act requires information concerning the distributions from the Delaware Strategic Fund to be posted on the Delaware Economic Development Office's website.

These bills will be filed by the Senate.  Our goal is to try and prevent these bills from being tossed in a drawer in the Senate and effectively killed.  This also places the responsibility on the Senate to open the government to the people who elected them.

In addition, Senator Steven Amick's resolution SR13 seeks to end the long held tradition of the desk drawer veto.

The Senate Republicans are also seeking to open up the budget process for further review.  Too often the budget is presented with very little time for review.  As such, last minute additions do not get the necessary attention that is needed.  These efforts are in 2 additional bills.

• SB182 - This Bill requires the annual Budget Bill to be introduced no later than three (3) legislative days prior to June 30th. This Bill requires the Bond Bill to be introduced no later than two (2) legislative days prior to June 30th.
• SB183 -This is the first leg of a Constitutional Amendment to give the Legislature and public at least 3 days to review the Budget Bill prior to voting thereupon and at least 2 days before voting upon the Bond Bill.