EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- Wisconsin, get ready to take a look at the state's checkbook!

The badger state's finances will soon be posted on the internet for all to see.

It's called Open Book Wisconsin, and it is getting started by the Department of Administration.

You'll be able to see just how much money the state spends and on what.

For instance, did you know Governor Scott Walker is paid nearly $145,000 a year?

Or that the UW system spent more than $13,000 on paper for office and print shop use?

It's all state spending you'll soon you be able to peek at.

The first phase of the database will include payments made by the state from 2008 all the way up to this month.

Local lawmakers WEAU 13 News talked to say they're happy the veil on state spending is being lifted.

“Honesty is good at all times and all places,” said State Rep. Kathy Bernier, a republican from Chippewa Falls.

“I don't really see any downside to this, I see a world of possibility for a lot of upsides,” said State Rep. Steve Doyle, a democrat from Onalaska.

Open Book is two years in the making and fulfills Governor Walker’s promise of a more transparent government.

“If you're curious about knowing what the University of Wisconsin spends for teacher salaries or you want to know how much money we spend on our court system. You should be able to have at least a general handle on what's going on,” Doyle said.

But it could lead to a misunderstanding of lawmakers' expenses.

“So they may look at travel and training budget and thinking that there's no need to spend that kind of money. Why is someone going to Chicago or why is someone going to Washington, DC?” Bernier said.

And although it won't explain why the money is being spent, lawmakers say this will hold them accountable.

“It’s our job as representatives and legislators to address those concerns and something might turn up that’s worthy of questioning,” Bernier said.

Coming sometime this spring, Open Book will be the first of website of its kind in the country.

“As people spend some time looking through those expenditures, they can come up with different ideas perhaps to save some money, get us interested in following up and whether that money is being spent well,” Doyle said.

State employee salaries and fringe benefits will be added in the coming months.

Information on undercover law enforcement agents will be kept confidential.

_________________________________________________________

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Administrators say they are ready to post the state's "checkbook" online, giving taxpayers a chance to scrutinize spending by Wisconsin officials.

Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch says they'll launch the "Open Book" program in the spring. Gov. Scott Walker's plan to make state spending more transparent has been two years in the making. Huebsch says there's a lot of information from all state agencies to enter.

The first phase of the database will include payments made by the state for goods and services from fiscal 2008 through the most current month, searchable by state agency, expense category and vendor. State employee salaries and fringe benefits will be added in the coming months. Wisconsin Public Radio News (http://bit.ly/15ibkqU) says some employees, including undercover law enforcement agents, will be confidential.