Report: NJ Gov't Entities Lack Transparency

A report by a government watchdog agency finds many of New Jersey's local government entities don't keep the public adequately informed about their operations.

A study released Tuesday by the New Jersey's Office of the State Comptroller says only three percent of New Jersey's independent local authorities and commissions post financial reports online.

More than a third of them do not have Web sites, and many of those who do fail to include basic information such as financial reports, agendas or meeting minutes.

In the comptroller office's release, which is posted on their Web site, State Comptroller Matthew Boxer is quoted saying, “When you have so many different government units spending public dollars, it becomes difficult for even the most attentive members of the public to monitor how their money is being spent.”

The comptroller's office has created a Web portal, viewable at www.state.nj.us/comptroller, to offer access to the Web sites of 1,900 of the government entities in the state.

The report also finds New Jersey averages one government unit every 3.8 square miles.

With better transparency, officials hope to maximize efficiency among its departments.

According to the release, Boxer understands the public’s need for transparency: “For too long, many local authorities and commissions in New Jersey have acted like private clubs, publicizing agency information only when it suits their needs,” Boxer said. “New Jersey residents are entitled to information about the operations of all of the government entities they fund - and those government entities must do a better job of providing the public with access to that information.”