06/10/2009 GAAS:293:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces New “Waste Watcher” Feature on Governor’s Web Site
In an effort to encourage state employees to report wasteful government
practices, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced a new feature called
"Waste
Watchers" on his Web site at www.gov.ca.gov and
his Reporting Transparency in Government Web site. The Waste Watchers site allows state employees and other Californians to
go online and report any government waste they may be aware of, either
anonymously or by name. The Administration will monitor the site and
investigate submissions.
"I
am committed to making state government more accountable to the people of
California," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "With this new Waste Watchers
feature, I am asking those on the front lines of state government to report any
waste they may see. The knowledge of Californians who work in and around state
government is a critical component to ensuring that we are operating
efficiently and people are getting the most for their tax dollars."
The new Web site feature came from a reader's suggestion during a
Sacramento Bee editorial board last Friday. Any Californian can submit a report
on the Waste Watchers site, but the Administration anticipates that state
employees, in particular, will have government waste to report and new
efficiency measures to recommend.
Last week, the Governor signed an executive order
requiring all state contracts valued at $5,000 or more to be posted online by
June 19, as well as both the internal and external audits of state departments
and agencies, including information on operations, budget and programs, dating back
to January 1, 2008. In April, Governor Schwarzenegger launched the Web site
to make publicly available the statement of economic interests, Form 700s and
the travel expense claims for the Governor's office senior staff and deputies,
agency secretaries, agency undersecretaries and department directors.
In addition to launching www.reportingtransparency.ca.gov,
Governor Schwarzenegger has taken these additional actions to ensure government
transparency and accountability:
- In 2004, the Governor championed and 83 percent of California voters approved Proposition 59 - the Sunshine Initiative - to amend California's Constitution to further the people's right to access government information by requiring the state to broadly interpret information requests.
- In 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger became the first sitting Governor to open his daily official state calendar for public inspection, and has since made his official state calendar public, updated on a bi-weekly basis.
- In 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order S-03-06, directing California's executive branch to train and ensure full compliance for information requests made under the California Public Records Act.
- In 2009, the Governor cracked down on travel and income rules, strengthening the policies and ensuring accountability.
