Abbott Signs Flynn-Bettencourt Local Transparency Bill

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Governor Greg Abbott today signed House Bill 1378 by State Rep. Dan Flynn (R-Canton) and Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) which will require all local taxing entities to post their financial statements online or through the Texas Comptrollers website.

In order for citizens to place trust in their elected officials government must be open and transparent" said Governor Abbott. I am proud to sign HB 1378 which will help provide that openness by ensuring both the state and its political subdivisions are subject to the same transparency requirements. Texas citizens will now be informed about the debt local governments carry by requiring them to disclose their financial statements online" Abbott said.

The effort was one of Gov. Abbotts Bicentennial Blueprint recommendations at the beginning of the Texas Legislative Session.