MCNEIL: POST MLA EXPENSES ON-LINE AND OPEN MEETINGS TO PUBLIC
Date: Monday February 8, 2010

(Halifax, NS) Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil says he and his caucus support replacing the Internal Economy Board with a commission of the legislature to modernize and improve the system for MLA allowances and expenses.

"We support that recommendation from the Premier’s Office and we have further proposals," said McNeil. "We believe Member's expenses should be on-line for constituents to see. That would create the transparency that Nova Scotians deserve."

McNeil says his caucus called for opening the Internal Economy Board meetings to the public last fall (see attached), and believes any new entity created should be open.

"The Auditor General has made his recommendations, Art Donahoe will make recommendations and so will the Liberal Caucus on behalf of the people we serve," said McNeil. "If you spend it, you must defend it to your constituents.”

“Anything that improves the system must be considered."

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