1-3-14 transparency website

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker's administration has finally launched a website detailing state government expenditures.  The state budget that Walker signed into law in June 2011 called for the site. The Department of Administration has been working to put it together since October 2011. The agency launched the first version of it Thursday morning. DOA Deputy Secretary Chris Schoenherr, who is managing the project, says the task has been more difficult than he anticipated.  The site contains millions of searchable entries detailing expenditures by state agencies, the Legislature, state courts and the University of Wisconsin System.  Schoenherr cautioned that the site provides a deeper level of detail for some entities than others and lacks context explaining the purchases. He says the site is a work in progress.  The site's address is openbook.wi.gov.