June 7, 2010 – Dan Malloy, the Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate for Governor, today applauded Gov. Rell’s signing of a bill that will create an online searchable database of all state expenditures. The database is expected to be up and running for public use by July, 2011.  Said Malloy:

“The State Legislature was right to pass this bill, and Gov. Rell was right to sign it.  I’ve been very outspoken about our need for a more open and transparent state government.  Connecticut residents deserve to know how their tax money is being spent, and it should be incumbent upon state leaders to make that information as easily accessible as possible.

“However, it’s important to note that while this new law is encouraging, Connecticut still has more work to be done in making itself accountable.  For years one of the state’s economic development agencies, Connecticut Innovations Inc., has been repeatedly criticized by state auditors for not disclosing enough information about the companies in which it has invested.  Millions of dollars are given out to various companies, yet taxpayers have no way of knowing what the return on their investment was.  What did the money accomplish?  Were jobs created?  We just don’t know.

“This new database is a definite step in the right direction, but it should also be a reminder of the work that still needs to be done.”