The Indiana State Budget Agency says the state is working to develop a state spending portal. This is an important development.

In a U.S. Public Interest Research Group study on how the 50 states provide online access to government spending data, Indiana's grade was "F."

The April 13 report noted transparency websites "can save millions through more efficient government operations, fewer manual information requests, more competitive contracting bids and lower risk of fraud."

Senate Republicans sent a letter Thursday morning to Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels to ask him to create a website detailing government budgets and spending, including schools and local governments.

The State Budget Agency responded that afternoon with a letter to the Senate Republican leadership that Republican State Auditor Tim Berry has been working since spring with the Indiana Office of Technology to develop a state spending portal online.

The new website will contain information on the state budget, revenues and expenditures, along with state employee data and records of state contracts and stimulus funds. The beauty of this site is that it will collect all this information in a single location.

Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson, D-Elletsville, has been asking for months for information on state spending, particularly on spending cuts for various programs.

"A new website alone, without legislative mandate, does not mean a change in attitude," Simpson said. "And it won't by itself break through the culture of secrecy that has been emanating from this current administration."

Senate Republican leaders -- Senate President David Long, R-Fort Wayne; Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, and Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Wheatfield, said the new website could "strengthen taxpayer confidence" by making government spending more transparent.

It can do that, and it can fuel debate over Indiana's spending priorities as well.

Information on revenues and spending are vital tools in the debate over public policy. It takes money to implement policy, and clear data on how much money is really available can help make it easier to set priorities.

We're encouraged that Indiana is building a budget transparency portal. It's a step in the right direction.

The public, as well as lawmakers and others, should be able to see quickly the numbers that will affect public policy.