Dozens reply to Ohio treasurer’s online checkbook invitation

COLUMBUS (AP) — Officials say dozens of local governments have responded with interest to an invitation from Ohio’s treasurer to put spending information online.

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel last week sent a letter to government and school officials throughout the state asking them to place their checkbooks online. The request included an offer to partner with Mandel’s office with no cost to local governments.

Mandel’s spokesman Chris Berry tells the Northeast Ohio Media Group that the treasurer’s letter drew strong responses, with more than 100 communities inquiring this week about the checkbook project. Mahoning County in northeast Ohio has already formally committed to post their spending online.

The effort comes in the wake of recognition received by Mandel’s newly launched OhioCheckbook.com, which offers a Google-style search of state expenditure records.