Gambit Blog Louisiana modernizing its website to track state spending

Louisiana is upgrading its website to track government spending, giving it a new name and user-friendly, graphics-focused look that lawmakers hope will draw more people to review how the state use taxpayer dollars.The improved transparency site, known as Louisiana Checkbook, goes online Monday at www.checkbook.la.gov.The one-stop website, developed by Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration, will allow searching by spending type, agency and financial year, with interactive charts and graphs, downloadable data and ability to compare across multiple categories. Over time, people will be able to view state employee salaries, contract data, information about boards and commissions, incentive spending on economic development projects and financial reports....