One of the most troubling consequences of the cutbacks in local political journalism means our elected officials get a pass when it comes to public scrutiny. But a new transparency project being unveiled next month by the smart minds at Commonwealth Magazine should help to counter that trend. “Full Disclosure” has already gotten off the ground with an innovative database of 300 ethics disclosure forms that local officials in Massachusetts must file with the State Ethics Commission. They have for years existed electronically but instead the commission required you to appear at the office, fill out a request, pay $1 for a copy and wait for the official to be notified someone is seeking their disclosure information. Then you can have the paper copies. It has been a cumbersome and outdated system that the Commonwealth team, led by longtime investigative reporter Jack Sullivan, has thankfully put out of business.

The Statements of Financial Interest are available at Commonwealth’s Magazine’s website for the more than 300 officials, including all members of the Legislature, the constitutional officers, the governor’s cabinet, selected state policymakers, and elected and appointed county officials. They detail an official’s outside income, real estate, and business holdings. Commonwealth has also posted per-diem travel, meals and lodging stipends paid to state lawmakers year round here in an Excel spreadsheet ; Both databases contain important information for citizens to have as they make voting decisions and great detail for journalists working political stories.

The “Full Disclosure” project promises to be a real public service – one the traditional news organizations in the area have not yet provided. That’s why we are adding their inaugural databases to our list of essential reporting tools. As it expands with new tools we’ll update you. Meanwhile, check out more information about the project at Commonwealth’s website: http://www.massinc.org/index.php?id=749&pub_id=2498&bypass=1