Electronic Transparency

Another thought on putting a little electronic transparency in state government. How about this as a start?

Let the public see the purchases made on state Procurement Cards.

Procurement Cards, or ProCards are government issued credit cards. I for one would like to see what is being bought with these little pieces of plastic.

Now the cards will be rejected if someone tries to buy any of the following.

Airlines
Automobile/Vehicle Rental
Hotels and Motels
Eating Places, Restaurants
Bars, Cocktail Lounges, Discotheques, Nightclubs, and Taverns – Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
Quick Payment Service – Fast-Food Restaurants
Package Stores, Beer, Wine, Liquor
Financial Institutions
Security Brokers/Dealers
Insurance Sales and Underwriting
Insurance Premiums
Insurance (Not elsewhere classified)
Lodging

So I couldn’t pay for a trip to Europe with this card, but I bet I could buy jewelry, furniture, clothes, a big screen TV (I wonder if David Williams has one of these?)

The rules say I can’t rent a car, but could I buy one?

I think the public would probably get a little bent out of shape if they found a state office furnished with solid cherry furniture or antiques.

I would love to trip through these records.