Transparency is Indispensable to Democracy

The Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity is dedicated to providing concerned citizens, opinion leaders, and public officials with empirical research data, while also advancing free-market solutions to public policy issues in the state. As part of our open government effort, we feel it is important that complete transparency be available so that a fully informed citizenry can fully participate in crucial debates about the future well-being of our citizens and the conduct of our state and local governments.

The Center operates a number of transparency portals.

1) RIOpenGov.org gives Rhode Islanders an open look into how their government is spending their hard-earned tax dollars!

STATEWIDE DATA
State payroll
State vendor payments
State retiree pensions (including local teachers)

LOCAL DATA
Central Falls pensions: police and MERS
Cranston pensions
East Providence pensions: police & fire and MERS
Newport pensions: police & fire and MERS
Warwick pensions: police, fire, & municipal and MERS

2) Local Transparency Portals

Working with local partners, like the Tiverton Taxpayer Association, where municipal and school department employee compensation is now posted – base pay, overtime, and other pay – the Center is expanding its open-government mission to all levels of government.

– Go to TivertonFactCheck.org

For information on how to start a local transparency portal in your city or town, contact the Center at info@rifreedom.org .

3) The Ocean State Current – OceanStateCurrent.com – our Center’s online journalism and blog site

Other Transparency Links

RIOpenGov.org – our Center’s transparency website. Currently featuring RI State salary, overtime and retiree pension data; plus municipal retiree pension data for some cities/towns.

RhodeIslandConCon.info – comprehensive information about a Constitutional Convention and its history in the Ocean State.

Rhode Island Tea Party – taxpayer outreach and advocacy group that meets with legislators, attends hearings, and supports candidates that support a vision of hope.

Stephen Hopkins Center for Civil Rights – free or reduced-fee litigation center to protect our constitutional rights

Ocean State Tea Party in Action – taxpayer advocacy group that tracks bills and provides testimony before various House and Senate committees

PublicSectorInc.org – news, analysis & research about the issues facing the public sector and the American taxpayer.

OpenSecrets.org – listing of donations from individuals and PACs for Federal campaigns

 

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