Iowa gov appoints transparency chief

Earlier this week, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad named Bill Monroe, one of the state’s prominent newsmen, as his administration’s special advisor for government transparency. In that capacity, Mr. Monroe will help craft and implement Iowa’s transparency agenda, the governor said.

“I have taken steps to assure that my administration will be transparent,” Gov. Branstad said in a statement, “and I believe that adding Bill as a special advisor for government transparency will ensure accessibility throughout my tenure.”

Mr. Monroe is a career journalist who served as the Executive Director of the Iowa Newspaper Association (INA) for nearly 30 years. He also served on the executive committee of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council and was publisher at the Spencer Daily News and editor of the Cedar Valley Times before joining INA.

“As someone who has been in journalism all my professional life, I understand the need for openness at a government level and I look forward to assisting the governor and lieutenant governor in this area,” Mr. Monroe said.

In his Inaugural Address, Gov. Branstad said that “it is time to restore integrity and transparency to our government decision-making processes.” He vowed to slim the size of government, while building a better managed and sustainable government.

“And it will start by opening up to the people our budgets, briefings and the like,” he said. “Sunshine remains the best cure for what ails our government.”



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