Parent introduces first piece of legislation

Rep. Elena Parent (D-81) introduced last week her first piece of legislation which seeks to create an online database of earmarks for capital improvement projects. The Ashford Park resident said she expects the bill to be assigned a number today.

The Transparency in Government Act, Parent said, is a mirror of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act signed by President George W. Bush in 2006. The bill required that the Office of Management and Budget create a searchable online database of all government contracts. The Georgia legislation would require the Department of Audits and Accounts to develop and maintain a website to track requested and assigned appropriations.

“If there is a construction project, or renovation project, it would be placed in an online searchable database,” Parent said. “This basically gives citizens the ability to see how their tax money is being spent.”

Parent, whose campaign message centered around accountability, said she and her friend Rep. Earnest Smith of Augusta, were “of like mind on the issue” of accountability. They introduced the bill on Tuesday and worked to get signatures.

Parent said taxpayers have repeatedly told lawmakers they are tired of "backroom deals", especially those that involve their hard-earned tax dollars.

“During times when our budget is facing severe shortfalls, we need to be especially accountable with tax payers’ money,” Parent said. “The process of transparency leads to politicians being accountable across the board.”

Parent said she anticipates bi-partisan support, especially since the federal legislation was signed into law by a Republican president.  This bill, she said, will begin to put in place the reform called for by Democrats, Tea Party Activists and Republicans.

It's a “common sense measure and is a simple thing to do that makes our government more transparent," she said.