Controller declares ‘Idaho Transparency Month’ with stakeholder discussions, government access tips

August is now Idaho Transparency Month, according to a Friday announcement from Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf. The initiative will highlight Idaho’s commitment to open government, with a focus on connecting Idahoans with the transparency platforms Idaho operates, the announcement said.

The Office of the State Controller plans to hold stakeholder discussions, and share “Did You Know” transparency tips throughout August. In an effort to connect with Idaho residents directly, the office will also conduct man-on-the-street outreach about government transparency. 

As state controller, Woolf oversees statewide accounting, payroll and financial reporting. The state controller serves as Idaho’s chief fiscal officer and is responsible for ensuring financial transparency in the state’s government.

Idaho’s transparency platforms, including Transparent Idaho and Townhall Idaho, offer online searchable databases of public spending, financial reports, local government information, and public meetings.

“At a time when trust in government is under increasing pressure, transparency has never been more important,” Woolf said. “When government information is easy to find, easy to understand, and available to everyone, citizens are better equipped to participate in their communities and hold government accountable.”

Idaho ranks 27th in state by state financial transparency, according to a 2026 report from Truth in Accounting. The performance marks a 23-place drop from its rank at fourth best in the nation last year.