Assembly passes bill to put every council budget online
Residents will be able to see how each council plans to spend its money, line by line, from the new year.
The state assembly has passed a bill that requires every local council to publish its full budget online within 30 days of approval.
Under the new law, each budget must list spending by project, ward and contractor. Councils that miss the deadline lose access to part of their quarterly allocation until they comply.
Supporters say the change will make it easier for residents to follow the money. "People can now ask why a road was paid for twice," said one member during the debate.
Some councils warned that they lack the staff to publish detailed records quickly. The assembly agreed to fund a shared online portal and train one officer in each council.
The bill now goes to the governor, who has 30 days to sign it. If signed, the first budgets will appear online in January.
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