Comptroller Kevin Lembo Archive > News
COMPTROLLER LEMBO’S STATEMENT ON U.S. PIRG REPORT THAT RANKS CT AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN TRANSPARENCYState Comptroller Kevin Lembo issued a statement today on a report released by the U.S. PIRG that ranks Connecticut among the top states in the nation for online economic development subsidy transparency.
The report, the 10th by U.S. PIRG regarding state transparency and the first to exclusively emphasize economic development, comes two years after Lembo successfully advocated for legislation that requires more transparent and independent reporting on the effectiveness of the hundreds of millions of dollars Connecticut spends annually on economic incentives.
Following the Money 2019 ranks Connecticut third in the nation for economic development transparency, calling Connecticut an “advancing” state on economic development subsidy transparency.
“Connecticut once again stands out as a national leader on open government – recognized for our collaborative work to give economic development investments the public analysis and attention that they deserve,” Lembo said. “Our state invests hundreds of millions of dollars every year in economic development, and so taxpayers and policy makers deserve to know the return on investment. This report, the first of its kind to emphasize economic development investments, acknowledges the strides Connecticut has made over the last several years to ensure that the state’s economic development investments are openly reported to the public and receive the oversight and analysis they deserve.
“Connecticut’s place as a leader on open government is great news, but the report reveals that all states – even those near the top – have work to do. I look forward to continuing our work with open government advocates, state auditors, economic development officials and legislators with the goal of making Connecticut the most open and accountable state in the country.”
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