From a press release Tuesday (March 26):

Hawaii received an “F” when it comes to government spending transparency, according to “Following the Money 2013: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data,” the fourth annual report of its kind by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund.

“State governments across the country have become more transparent about where public money goes, providing citizens with the information they need to hold elected officials and businesses that receive public funds accountable,” said Phineas Baxandall, senior analyst for tax and budget policy with the U.S. PIRG Education Fund. “But Hawaii still has a long way to go. …”

The report describes Hawaii as a “failing state” because it has limited checkbook-level information, is hard to use, and does not include links to the state’s tax expenditure reports or information on the projected and achieved benefits of economic development subsidies.

As a result of continually rising transparency standards, Hawaii’s “C” grade from last year dropped to an “F” this year. …

To access the state’s transparency website, click here. To read the report, click here.

Photo courtesy Philip Taylor PT.

—Chad Blair