Indiana is tops in government transparency

INDIANAPOLIS | A second rating agency has awarded Indiana's state government an A grade for easy access to public information.

Sunshine Review, a nonprofit organization that evaluates government transparency, said Indiana's Transparency Portal, in.gov/itp, is one of the best websites in the nation for state government records.

Reviewers praised Indiana for using a single website to house data on the state's budget, elected and administrative officials, state audits, contracts, employee salaries, taxes and other public records.

State Auditor Tim Berry, who manages the website, said it was established to help Hoosiers know what their state government is doing.

"During my time as auditor of state, I've made a pledge to Hoosiers that their government will be open and accessible," said Berry, a Republican. "Citizens need to know that the government's business isn't being conducted in the shadows."

Earlier this year, the U.S. Public Interest Research Groups, another nonprofit public advocate, gave Indiana an A for transparency. Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas and Arizona were the only other states to earn an A.

Illinois earned a B from Sunshine Review and a C from U.S. PIRG.