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Government Transparency

Giving you the tools to compare and rank the effectiveness of the policies adopted by states across America.

Civics Education Government Transparency

Key Policy Goals / Our Agenda: 

  • Protect and expand citizens’ right to know through legal and policy reform.
  • End legislative and executive exemptions from public records law.
  • Require proactive disclosure of budgets, contracts, and staffing.
  • Modernize state and local open-data systems for public access.

Latest from Government Transparency

American Citizenship
September 25, 2025

Statement of Pioneer Institute on Board Member Mike Kennealy’s Bid for Governor

This statement was released on April 15, 2025. BOSTON – Congratulations to Mike Kennealy on his decision to run for Governor of Massachusetts. Mike has served as a thoughtful and deeply engaged member of Pioneer Institute’s board since 2023. We are grateful for…
American Citizenship, Data Labs, Opportunity
July 30, 2025

From the City on a Hill to a Shrouded Statehouse: Massachusetts’ Push for Government Accountability

Once seen as a city upon a hill, Massachusetts, the first state with a public viewing gallery for its Legislature faces persistent concerns about lack of government transparency. Data on Statements of Financial Interest (SFIs) from US DataLabs highlights those concerns and emphasizes the need for accountability. 
American Citizenship
June 18, 2025

Boston Policy Institute and Pioneer Institute Announce Boston DataLabs: New Tool Will Allow for Easy and Powerful Municipal Government Accountability

The Boston Policy Institute together with Pioneer Institute today announced the launch of Boston DataLabs, an online platform designed to empower Boston residents, journalists, researchers, and policymakers with clear, accessible insights into the city’s payroll and budget.
American Citizenship
June 4, 2025

Pioneer Institute Launches US DataLabs: A Powerful New Tool for Citizen Engagement and Government Accountability

Pioneer Institute today announced the launch of US DataLabs, a groundbreaking online platform designed to empower citizens with the data needed to effectively engage with policy makers.  
American Citizenship
March 20, 2025

We Have a Long Way to Go for Massachusetts Residents to Have the Government Transparency We Deserve

As Pioneer Institute observes Sunshine Week,?we are disappointed by the legislature’s attempts to deny what the vast majority of voters want: an audit of the legislature by our State Auditor. Trying to avoid an audit further exacerbates the loss of public trust. After all, what are we left to think? Do they have something to hide? That is not the government our founders intended; nor is it what 72 percent of Massachusetts voters wanted. This year, during Sunshine Week, we are entirely focused on the top three actions to bring sunlight to the state legislature. They are: 

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American Citizenship
August 26, 2024

Poll: State Voters Overwhelmingly Support Ending Public Records Exemption, Auditing the Legislature

American Citizenship, Healthcare, Opportunity
August 8, 2024

Average Weekly Wages of Healthcare Workers Across a Decade

American Citizenship, Opportunity
August 8, 2024

Massachusetts’s Debt and Liability in 2023

American Citizenship, Opportunity
August 1, 2024

 The Largest Groups Driving Massachusetts’s Migration

American Citizenship, Opportunity
August 1, 2024

Highest Paid State Employees in Massachusetts

American Citizenship
August 1, 2024

Understanding the Trends in Massachusetts' Sin Tax Revenues

American Citizenship, Opportunity
July 30, 2024

Increasing Number of Retirees Driving Pension Expenditures

American Citizenship, Opportunity
July 30, 2024

Where Does Massachusetts' Pension Money Go?

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Meet the Experts

Mary Connaughton

Mary Connaughton

Chief Operating Officer, Director of Government Transparency

Fact of the day

Electricity Generation by State: 2023

How much electricity do states produce? In 2023, Texas generated twice as much power as Florida, the next closest state. At the other end of the spectrum, Vermont produced the least electricity and had the lowest per capita generation rate. Explore the data on US DataLabs! https://loom.ly/-trkbR4
#facts, #electricitygeneration

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