2 Ala. Republicans push transparency bills

Published 7:43 am Tuesday, January 27, 2009

MONTGOMERY — Two Republican legislators from north Alabama have prepared a package of bills they say will provide more transparency in government.

Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur and Rep. Mike Ball of Madison are offering the bills for the session beginning next week.

One bill bans the transfer of money between political action committees and between principal campaign committees. Another bill requires candidates’ campaign finance reports to give the occupation and employer of anyone donating $100 or more.

Another bill requires the state comptroller to create a searchable Internet database of all state expenditures, contracts, legislative grants and state grants.

Orr says taxpayers should be able to use their computers to review state business.