Alabama to open government spending records

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley signs order to create online database of all state government expenses

Gov. Riley says this order will "put the Alabama state checkbook online," giving Alabama residents the ability to act as watchdogs over state government ethics.

The state Finance Department will operate the Web site, which will be ready with information from the 2008 fiscal year and monthly reports for 2009 by March 1. It will be searchable by October, the governor said.

State Rep. Lea Fite, D-Jacksonville, said that as a proponent of open government laws, he has "no problem. I think the more … sunshine we have, the more people trust government."

Fite mentioned President Barack Obama's promise of greater accountability and transparency for federal government. "I'm glad Gov. Riley is getting on board with the Democrats' and President Obama's openness."

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: House committee rejects bill limiting eminent domain

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist's office not sure how stimulus compromise will affect Florida

GEORGIA: Legislators consider allowing state pension fund managers to do riskier investments

KENTUCKY: Alcohol, tobacco tax increases approved by House

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal chosen by GOP to respond to President Obama's Feb. 24 joint address to Congress

MISSISSIPPI: House approves early voting, voter ID bill

NORTH CAROLINA: Economy of state should see aid, not fixes, with stimulus package

SOUTH CAROLINA: Payday lending regulations bill passes in House

TENNESSEE: TVA sells coal ash to manufacturers of recycled products

VIRGINIA: General Assembly to consider the budget today

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