State Launches New Website Tracking Government Spending

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The state has launched a new online portal to explore how tax dollars are spent.

It's called TransparencyMN, and it catalogs current and previous budget spending, grants and contracts, public employee payroll and audits of government agencies. It's updated nightly.

Gov. Mark Dayton unveiled the new website Friday. He says it gives Minnesota residents constant access to watch how their money is being spent.

For example, the governor was paid nearly $120,000 in the fiscal year that ended in June. Several officials in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system made more than $200,000.

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