Tax-Funded Clowns in Connecticut — By: John Hood

Connecticut is the latest state where taxpayers have gained direct online access to government spending data and other resources, thanks to the efforts of local conservative think tanks. The Yankee Institute for Public Policy has launched CTSunlight.org . The New Haven Register coverage includes reaction from state officials and some interesting revelations from the Connecticut site: For instance, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs spent $1,210 in fiscal year 2007-08 on New York Yankees tickets. The Department of Children and Families and Department of Corrections both hired clowns, named Dimples and Huggles, in fiscal year 2007-08, for $550 and $600, respectively. State agencies spent more than $5 million on cell phone services in fiscal year 2008-09. Less than $200,000 was spent on beepers and pagers in the same period. The Division of Criminal Justice spent more than $800,000 in 2008-09 to compensate witnesses.

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Tax-Funded Clowns in Connecticut — By: John Hood