New GOP Website “Shines Light” On Government Spending

By Mariko Lamb

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) unveiled a new GOP website Thursday that “shines the light on government spending.” Sunshine.gop.gov tracks stimulus project spending, earmarks, TARP programs, and transparency legislation.

“We thought it was important that taxpayers actually be able to see exactly how every dollar was being spent,” she said. “Sunshine.gop.gov will give taxpayers greater insight and ultimately hold the federal government accountable for how it spends our tax dollars.”

The site is more user-friendly and cost-effective than Recovery.gov, she said. Development of sunshine.gop.gov cost only $20,000 as opposed to the recent $18 million contract signed to update the administration’s stimulus site, Recovery.gov.

Rodgers urged both the public and the media to use the website as a tool to conduct research on government spending and pursue stories on wasteful government spending.

“We’re making a transition as far as using new media [and] the internet. It’s impacting the way we communicate as a society, but its also is impacting the way people get information,” she said. “This is a step in the right direction.”