Amid talks of putting Florida’s spending under a microscope, State Sen. Dave Aronberg (D-Greenacres) is pushing legislation that would create a free, user-friendly website for taxpayers see how the state is spending what he called their “hard-earned dollars.”

“Our state prides itself as having a government in the sunshine,” Sen. Aronberg. “It gets a little bit cloudy, however when it comes to accounting for the dollars and cents used to run that government.”

Some 15 states and the federal government have already posted searchable budgets online.

“Although Florida’s budget is available to anyone who asks, it is written in government speak, requiring a user’s guide to follow the money. We ought to be able to explain to the people, in plain English, how we are spending their tax dollars,” he said.

In addition to increasing accountability and reducing earmarks, searchable budgets can improve government efficiency, Aronberg said.

“When the money trail is laid out in simple and understandable terms, it gives a much better picture of where the spending occurs, and on what,” Aronberg said in a press release.

“When other states have taken a step back and looked at state spending as a whole, they’ve been able to spot the weak spots where waste or duplication of services might be occurring,” he said. Texas, for example, consolidated Aronberg’s bill, SB 594 is sponsored in the House Rep. Leonard Bembry (D-Greenville).