Governor Schwarzenegger Launches Website to Increase Government Transparency

Continuing his commitment to making government more transparent to the people of California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today launched www.reportingtransparency.ca.gov. This Web site makes publicly available the Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700, and the Travel Expense claims for the Governor's Office Senior Staff and Deputies, Agency Secretaries, Agency Undersecretaries and Department Directors.

“Since taking office I have taken steps to make government more accountable and responsive to the people,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “By making the economic, gift and travel information of the senior members of my administration easily available online, we are taking unprecedented steps to open up our government to the people – yet another critical step toward more government transparency.”

Additionally, travel expense claims and Form 700s from the Governor's Office senior staff and deputies are now posted on the Governor’s Office Web site at http://gov.ca.gov

In addition to having the most stringent gift and travel policy in the state, 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.