Maryland earned a "C" for openness about government spending, according to the report, "Following the Money: How the 50 States Rate in Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data," Maryland PIRG announced Tuesday.

The report found that 32 states provide an online database of government expenditures with "checkbook-level" detail. The best state transparency tools are highly searchable, and include detailed information about government contracts, tax subsidies and special grants to businesses.

An example of a leading state transparency Web tool is "Open Door Kentucky," an online site that allows visitors to easily search and view contracts past and present, and to search by contractor or type of activity contracted, with explanations of the purpose of individual contracts, Maryland PIRG says.

States with top-flight transparency Web sites are saving money, restoring public confidence in government and preventing misspending and pay-to-play contracts, Maryland PIRG also said. States that have created online transparency have done so with little upfront cost, the nonprofit citizens-based advocacy group reports.

"The good news is that state governments have become far more transparent about where the money goes," said Phineas Baxandall, senior analyst for Tax and Budget Policy at Maryland PIRG.  "Even though Maryland is considered No. 1 in transparency of (federal stimulus) spending, Maryland still has lots of room for improvement in terms of other government spending."

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