The City of Columbia has begun posting its check register online, becoming the 19th local government in the state to do so. Comptroller Richard Eckstrom, who last year initiated a campaign to persuade local units of government – cities, counties, and school districts – to begin posting their monthly check registers on their Web sites said, “Showing people where their tax dollars are going is one of the most important things any government can do. Transparency improves the quality of government because it discourages waste and misspending and because it strengthens the bond between public officials and the citizens they serve.

“Mayor Bob Coble and city leaders deserve tremendous credit for this important step toward open government. They’ve delivered on their pledge to open up the cities books. Other local governments in the Midlands and throughout the state would do well to follow their lead.

“Transparency is not the province of any political party or any ideology. It’s simply the right thing for government to do. It’s not government’s money, it’s the people’s money, and it’s a matter of common courtesy to give people easy access to details about how their tax dollars are spent.”

To view the city’s check register, click here: http://www.columbiasc.n et/depts/finance/downloads/ Truth%20in%20Spe nding%20Janu- ary%202010.pdf.