SeeThroughNY
SeeThroughNY is a public transparency project in New York State that provides citizens with access to information on the finances of local government entities, public authorities, and state government. Managed by the Empire Center for Public Policy, SeeThroughNY is an initiative that aims to make information about government spending more accessible and transparent to the public.
What is SeeThroughNY?
SeeThroughNY is a website that provides easy-to-use online databases that allow citizens to search for information on salaries, pensions, contracts, and other expenses of government entities. The databases include information on local school districts, state agencies, and public authorities such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York State Thruway Authority.
One of the most popular features of SeeThroughNY is the database of state employee salaries, which includes information on the salaries of all state employees, as well as their job titles and departments. The website also includes a database of public employee pensions, which provides information on the pensions of retired government employees.
What does SeeThroughNY do?
SeeThroughNY is a website that provides New York State residents with access to government information, including data on public employee salaries, contracts, and expenditures. The website was created by the Empire Center for Public Policy, a non-profit think tank based in Albany, New York, and is designed to increase transparency and accountability in New York State government.
The information provided on SeeThroughNY includes:
- Public Employee Salaries: The website features a searchable database of public employee salaries for state and local government employees, including school district employees, police officers, and firefighters. Users can search by name, title, agency, or location.
- Government Contracts: The website provides information on government contracts, including the name of the contractor, the amount of the contract, and the government agency involved. Users can search by contract name, agency, or vendor.
- Government Expenditures: The website provides information on government expenditures, including spending on state and local programs, capital projects, and debt service. Users can search by agency or program.
- Lobbyist Information: The website features a database of registered lobbyists in New York State, including their names, employers, and clients.
The information on SeeThroughNY is intended to provide New York State residents with greater transparency and accountability in government. By providing access to information on public employee salaries, government contracts, and expenditures, the website helps to promote open government and informed public debate.
How does SeeThroughNY increase transparency?
SeeThroughNY aims to increase transparency and accountability in government spending by making it easier for citizens to access information on how their tax dollars are being used. By providing this information in an easy-to-use format, SeeThroughNY allows citizens to hold government officials accountable for their spending decisions.
SeeThroughNY also helps promote transparency by making it easier for journalists and researchers to access information about government spending. This can lead to more investigative reporting on government spending, which can help uncover waste, fraud, and abuse.
Government employee information that is available
SeeThroughNY provides information on the salaries, benefits, and pensions of government employees. The website also includes information on government contracts, lobbying activity, and the finances of state agencies and public authorities.
Users can search for specific information by using the search bar on the website or by browsing the different categories of information available. The website also provides helpful tools and guides to help users navigate the databases and understand the information they are viewing.
Why is SeeThroughNY important?
SeeThroughNY is important because it helps promote transparency and accountability in government spending. By making information about government finances more accessible to the public, citizens are better able to hold government officials accountable for their spending decisions.
This increased transparency can also help uncover waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending. By shining a light on government finances, SeeThroughNY helps ensure that tax dollars are being used in the most efficient and effective way possible.
How to use
SeeThroughNY is easy to use and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Simply visit the website and start browsing the different categories of information available. You can also use the search bar to look for specific information.
Whether you are a concerned citizen, journalist, researcher, or just curious about government finances, SeeThroughNY is a valuable resource that provides important information on government spending in New York State.
SeeThroughNY is a vital tool for promoting government transparency and accountability in New York State. It allows citizens to access information on how their tax dollars are being spent and holds government officials accountable for their spending decisions.
The project also serves as a valuable resource for journalists and researchers, who can use the information available on the website to conduct investigative reporting on government spending. This can lead to uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending, which can ultimately lead to more efficient and effective use of tax dollars.
In addition to the databases on salaries, pensions, contracts, and finances of government entities, it also includes other helpful resources. The website provides access to government forms, reports, and audits, making it a one-stop-shop for information on government finances.
The website also provides tools and guides to help users navigate the databases and understand the information they are viewing. This includes a glossary of terms, frequently asked questions, and helpful tips on how to search for specific information.
Overall, SeeThroughNY is a crucial project for promoting government transparency and accountability in New York State. Its easy-to-use databases and resources make it a valuable tool for citizens, journalists, and researchers alike. By shining a light on government spending, SeeThroughNY helps ensure that tax dollars are being used in the most efficient and effective way possible.