OpenTheBooks Substack

OpenTheBooks Substack scrutinizes the opacity in U.S. public policy, highlighting the interplay of secrecy, financial mismanagement, and ethical concerns in government and allied institutions. It uncovers financial improprieties and misallocations involving high-profile individuals, agencies, and sectors, advocating for transparency and accountability.

Government Transparency and Accountability Financial Mismanagement in Public Sector Ethical Concerns in Governance Public Policy Critique Conflict of Interest in Public Institutions Health and Education Policy Analysis Investigative Reporting on Political Figures Government Spending and Waste

The hottest Substack posts of OpenTheBooks Substack

And their main takeaways

MAPPING THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT

303 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Federal Agencies Public Policy
  1. Government spending has been growing much faster than the number of employees and inflation. This shows that more money is being spent without a proportional increase in personnel.
  2. Many federal agencies are outdated or no longer exist, making it hard for the public to track government activities and spending. There's a push to create a better record of how taxpayer money is being used.
  3. Specific agencies, like the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Education, have seen huge increases in spending while sometimes cutting staff or having poor performance in their services.

CASH FOR MIGRANTS: FEMA NOT THE ONLY AGENCY SPENDING BIG

343 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Government spending Federal Agencies
  1. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has spent over $22.6 billion since 2020 to help immigrants and refugees with various services. This includes financial aid, legal assistance, and help with housing.
  2. There are concerns about transparency and accountability within ORR, especially regarding the awarding of grants to certain non-profits that have ties to former leadership. People are questioning if these organizations are getting special treatment.
  3. The issue of missing unaccompanied children from ORR programs highlights a significant problem. Reports suggest that around 300,000 children could be unaccounted for, raising serious concerns about their safety and the effectiveness of the agency's vetting process.

Final Tally for Biden-Era Improper Payments? $925 BILLION

405 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending Policy Analysis Fraud prevention Economic Impact Bureaucracy
  1. The total amount of improper payments during Biden's presidency is reported to be $925 billion. This means a lot of money was incorrectly sent out by the government.
  2. In just one year, federal agencies noted almost $162 billion in improper payments. This issue has been growing and was particularly bad during the COVID pandemic.
  3. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had the highest amount of waste, totaling $87 billion. Also, many payments were sent to people who have died, showing problems with tracking who should receive money.

OPEN LETTER TO ELON: Let's Build "America's Checkbook"

465 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Transparency Public Policy Federal Spending Accountability
  1. Creating a tool called 'America's Checkbook' can help Americans see government spending in real time. This tool would make it easier for taxpayers to understand how their money is being used.
  2. Transparency in government spending is important. The founders of the United States believed that the public should have access to detailed records of expenditure.
  3. By working together, Americans can push for more accountability and efficiency in how government funds are managed. This will ensure that future administrations remain open and responsible to the public.

TOO MANY SUBSCRIPTIONS? THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

281 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending Media Public Policy Political News Bureaucracy
  1. The federal government has spent $44 million on POLITICO subscriptions since 2017. This spending comes from various agencies, showing a trend of reliance on paid news sources.
  2. The White House, especially under Biden, dramatically increased its spending on subscriptions, reaching $7.8 million in 2023. This raises questions about efficiency and whether multiple officials need separate subscriptions.
  3. Many people are skeptical about supporting media outlets with tax dollars, especially when there are many who already don't trust these sources. It's worth considering if the government should be funding private news businesses at all.
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DELETE, DELETE, DELETE, DELETE

580 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Legislation Administration
  1. There are 75 federal agencies listed as defunct in the Federal Register. Many of these agencies haven't been active for years but are still listed.
  2. The Federal government lacks good record-keeping, leading to confusion about which agencies are still operating. This makes it hard for taxpayers to know where their money is going.
  3. To improve government efficiency, a new department aims to identify and eliminate these ghost agencies. This could help save money and streamline government functions.

Joint University Programs with China Escape Financial Reporting

157 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Relations Education & Policy National Security Government oversight
  1. Many American universities have received substantial funding from China, potentially beyond hundreds of millions and into the billions. This funding is often linked to joint research programs.
  2. Some universities, like UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech, have faced investigations for failing to report foreign funding accurately. This has raised concerns about national security and the influence of foreign entities in U.S. academia.
  3. There's a call for universities to improve their financial reporting and for Congress to strengthen laws to ensure all foreign funding is disclosed. This is important for protecting U.S. research and technology.

Trump's Transparency Opportunity

172 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency Government Accountability Legislation Censorship
  1. Transparency is crucial for holding the government accountable. Citizens have the right and duty to know how their tax money is spent.
  2. The previous administration made it hard to access information quickly, which undermined democracy. People should be able to get answers about government spending without long waits.
  3. The new administration has a chance to improve transparency immediately. Quick access to government data can help build trust and ensure better decision-making.

Los Angeles Fires: Water & Power Officials Among Top-Paid City Employees

283 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy Government Local Governance Public Safety
  1. Los Angeles is facing severe wildfires, and the city's mayor, Karen Bass, is being criticized for being out of the country during this crisis. Many people feel it's wrong for her to be away while her city is in such danger.
  2. The pay for top city officials in Los Angeles is high, with the fire chief earning over $400,000. This raises questions about whether their compensation matches the effectiveness of their response to the ongoing fires.
  3. There seems to be a focus on diversity and inclusion in the fire department, but some argue that these goals are not helping to tackle real problems like wildfires. Critics believe that the main focus should be on practical solutions to emergency situations.

DoD Had Its Most Spendy Month Since the Bush Era

217 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Spending Federal Budget Government Contracts Political Accountability Defense Policy
  1. In September 2024, the Department of Defense spent over $79 billion, marking its highest spending since 2008. This was a huge jump in expenses compared to past months.
  2. A lot of the money went to familiar things like ammunition and aircraft, but there were some surprising purchases too, like millions spent on lobster, steaks, and even musical instruments.
  3. Despite spending most of the budget within the U.S., the Pentagon also gave nearly $2 billion to foreign companies, showing a global aspect to military spending.

New Orleans Police Superintendent has Collected $2.97M from Taxpayers since 2016

248 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Law enforcement Public Safety Crime Statistics
  1. The New Orleans Police Superintendent, Anne Kirkpatrick, has made $2.97 million from tax payers since 2016, including salary and legal settlements.
  2. After a tragic attack on New Year's Day, Kirkpatrick revealed she wasn't aware that the city owned anti-vehicle barriers meant to enhance safety, even though they had been in place since 2017.
  3. Despite a reported decrease in crime rates since she took office, New Orleans still experiences one of the highest homicide rates in the country.

Congress' Lack of Transparency is a Choice

347 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legislation Transparency Accountability Political Ethics
  1. Congress often rushes through big budget bills, expecting quick approvals without proper review. This approach makes it seem weak and disconnected from the people it serves.
  2. Taxpayers deserve transparency and more straightforward processes in how Congress handles budgets. Fewer agencies and clearer debates would make it easier for everyone to understand government spending.
  3. Just like in hard jobs, Congress members need to roll up their sleeves and work through tough issues. They have the power to make significant changes, so they should step up and do just that.

Texas vs. Ohio State: Auditors Pick a...Loser

148 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity Initiatives Higher education
  1. Ohio State and UT Austin are both spending large amounts of money on DEI initiatives. Ohio State's spending is higher at $13.3 million compared to UT Austin's $9.8 million.
  2. Both universities have received significant federal funding, around $3.5 billion since 2020, but they are using some funds for research on topics that many might find unusual, like promoting bug eating and studying gender identity.
  3. UT Austin has been critiqued for accepting considerable foreign funding, especially from China and Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about influence on campus.

EXCLUSIVE: As private citizen, Dr. Fauci received $15 million taxpayer-funded security detail

646 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Public Policy Healthcare Security
  1. Dr. Fauci received $15 million for a security detail funded by taxpayers after retiring. This included things like a chauffeur and law enforcement support.
  2. The agreement for his security was unusual, raising questions about why a private citizen gets this level of protection when others do not.
  3. Fauci's security costs were justified by him, citing threats he's received, but it highlights how taxpayers are often unaware of where their money is going.

DEI Blitz Reaches Buckeye Nation

177 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Ideology Funding Civil Rights
  1. Ohio State University is investing a lot of money into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, spending over $13 million on DEI staff last year. This raises questions about the role of DEI in education and its impact on students.
  2. A significant amount of funding for universities comes from foreign sources, with Ohio State reporting millions from countries like China and Saudi Arabia. This highlights concerns about foreign influence on American education.
  3. Despite receiving billions in federal funding, Ohio State still accepted COVID-related financial help, even as other wealthy universities declined such funds. This reflects broader issues regarding financial management in higher education.

WHERE’S WALDO? NEW REPORT SHOWS DC STILL A GHOST TOWN AFTER COVID

203 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legislation Bureaucracy Accountability
  1. Many federal workers in D.C. are still working from home, with only about 6% returning to the office daily. This has led to significant underutilization of office spaces.
  2. There's a lot of taxpayer money being spent on salaries and benefits for these remote workers, yet many job responsibilities are being ignored, causing serious issues like backlogs at agencies.
  3. A new bill, the REMOTE Act, aims to hold federal employees accountable for their work and assess the impact of telework on productivity.

Taxpayer Funded Censorship: How Government is Using Your Tax Dollars to Silence Your Voice

349 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Misinformation Government spending Public Health Free speech
  1. A huge amount of taxpayer money, over $127 million, went to studying and fighting COVID-related misinformation. Much of this funding was aimed at promoting public health recommendations.
  2. The government has been closely working with social media companies to tag and remove content labeled as misinformation, raising concerns about free speech and trust in scientific advice.
  3. There are worries that the government’s approach to dealing with misinformation could be biased, leading to silencing dissenting voices and further eroding public faith in authorities.

DOGE Is Coming...

383 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Spending Transparency Efficiency
  1. A new initiative called DOGE aims to make the government more efficient and cut wasteful spending. They have a huge database of public spending to help identify areas for improvement.
  2. Key leaders, including Trump and Musk, have set ambitious goals to cut $2 trillion from the budget by 2026. This aims to create a smaller government that works better for taxpayers.
  3. The public can help by sharing reports on wasteful spending and using the available database to uncover more issues. It's a group effort to bring attention to these spending problems.

Diversifying Doulas?! HHS Spends Hundreds of Millions Spreading DEI Through Medical Community

265 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending Health Policy Public Administration Public Health
  1. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employs a large team focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), costing taxpayers around $38.7 million each year. This effort includes 294 employees dedicated to creating equitable healthcare practices.
  2. The term 'equity' appears frequently in HHS' budget, showing a strong emphasis on promoting fairness in health services, especially for underserved communities. This includes funding diverse healthcare initiatives and outreach programs.
  3. Federal agencies, like HHS, are combining DEI efforts with traditional civil rights initiatives. This blending can create confusion about how equity policies impact equal treatment in health and employment, leading to potential legal challenges.

Diversity Whack-a-Mole: Controversial DOD Employee Pops Back Up at Education Department

146 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Government oversight Social justice Federal Agencies
  1. Kelisa Wing, who was involved in the controversial DEI efforts at the Department of Defense Education Activity, has moved to the Department of Education and is earning a higher salary. This raises concerns about her continuing influence on education policies for a wider audience.
  2. The Pentagon's DEI office was dissolved amid controversy, but a new DEI Steering Committee was created, suggesting ongoing DEI initiatives behind the scenes. There's frustration about the lack of transparency regarding these efforts.
  3. Federal education policies must be clearer and free from objectionable ideologies. There's a push for both transparency in government contracts and for ensuring that education content aligns with American values.

Anthony Fauci Defended NIH Culture Of Secrecy: The $325M Third-Party Royalty Complex... Now We Know More Details.

779 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Corruption Transparency Healthcare Research
  1. Anthony Fauci defended NIH culture of secrecy regarding third-party royalty payments.
  2. Chinese and Russian companies paid NIH for licensing technologies developed with U.S. taxpayer money.
  3. Companies like Purdue Pharma paid royalties to NIH scientists, raising questions about conflicts of interest.

University of Virginia Spends $20 Million On 235 DEI Employees, With Some Making $587,340 Per Year

236 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Finance Health Politics World Politics News
  1. University of Virginia spends $20 million on 235 DEI employees, with some earning up to $587,340 annually.
  2. University of Florida saved $5 million yearly by eliminating 13 full-time DEI positions and reallocating funds to faculty recruitment.
  3. UVA has deep DEI infrastructure with various agencies and departments dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The $175.3 Trillion Doomsday Clock Is Ticking – That Is The Estimated Unfunded Social Security And Medicare Liability

170 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💰 Finance Government spending Social Security Medicare
  1. The estimated unfunded Social Security and Medicare liability is a staggering $175.3 trillion, which is a major financial crisis threatening the future.
  2. The funding gap for Social Security and Medicare over the next 75 years is projected to be $78.3 trillion, leading to potential options like increased borrowing, higher taxes, or reduced benefits.
  3. The $175.3 trillion gap is a result of a lack of significant reforms in recent decades, with the projection showing significant challenges with Medicare Part B, Social Security, and other programs in the future.

Wealthy, Elite Universities Like Harvard Taxed You $45 Billion In Last Five Years

241 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Funding Taxation Policy Scandals
  1. Wealthy universities like Harvard received $45 billion in federal payments, tax breaks, and subsidies over the last five years.
  2. Top universities prioritized securing federal contracts and grants over student tuition, with $33 billion flowing to them annually.
  3. Elite universities also benefited from special tax treatment benefits on endowment gains and additional government subsidies.

Agency Capture – Biden Allocated $1.2 Billion To The United Nations Relief And Works Agency (UNRWA). It's Laced With Terrorist Extremists.

143 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Aid Terrorism Government Accountability Middle East Conflict International relations
  1. Biden allocated $1.2 billion in Palestinian aid to UNRWA, a UN agency linked with terrorist extremists.
  2. President Trump had previously cut U.S. aid to UNRWA to zero due to concerns about funding terrorism.
  3. The United States has been the largest funder of UNRWA since its founding in 1948, providing over one-third of its budget.

Top U.S. “Non-Profit” Hospitals & CEOs Racked Up Huge Pandemic Profits

343 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare system Medical Debt
  1. Top U.S. non-profit hospitals received $23 billion in Covid-aid but did not comply with price transparency rules.
  2. Hospital executives received huge compensation packages, with some CEOs making over $10 million per year.
  3. Despite receiving Covid aid, hospital net assets significantly increased while U.S. life expectancy dropped by 2.5 years.

Invent Your Own Gender. Governor Gavin Newsom Encourages Youth With Millions In Taxpayer Support

234 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government funding Education system Gender identity Parental Rights
  1. California schools are teaching that genders are limitless and encourage inventing new genders.
  2. Governor Newsom's administration is funneling millions of taxpayer dollars into promoting neogenders.
  3. Gender Spectrum organization's initiatives can exclude parents and keep them in the dark about their child's gender transitions.

How Transparency Changes Everything

298 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Transparency Spending Congress Oversight
  1. Transparency in government spending is crucial in holding politicians accountable and changing how we are governed.
  2. New technologies allow us to bring government spending into the light and make it accessible to the public in real-time.
  3. Citizens play a key role in demanding transparency and responsible spending of tax dollars to bring about positive change.

The Podcast Tax: If You’re Paying Taxes, You’re Paying For Government Podcasts!

108 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government funding Podcasts Artistic expression
  1. The federal government has funded numerous podcasts on various topics, including agriculture, linguistics, and religious life, some with ideologically charged content.
  2. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) have primary roles in funding podcasts for artistic and cultural expression.
  3. Many Americans might view the government-funded podcasts as wasteful spending, especially in light of the increasing national debt and the questionable topics covered.

Joe Biden’s Fat White House Payroll Spikes to Historic Highs—Includes 524 Employees Costing Taxpayers $52+ Million

228 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government White House Biden administration Payroll
  1. President Joe Biden's White House has seen a significant increase in staff and payroll costs since taking office.
  2. The turnover rate in the White House staff has been high, with a notable increase in employees from the previous year.
  3. Top-paid White House staffers include individuals in key roles such as policy advisors, with varying salaries and responsibilities.

The Silicon Valley Bank Coverup – And The Roads Leading To Gov. Gavin Newsom

298 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Governor Nonprofit Transparency Ethics
  1. Silicon Valley Bank faced transparency issues after being taken over by federal regulators and criticized for investment priorities.
  2. California Governor Gavin Newsom and his nonprofit have close ties with Silicon Valley Bank, raising ethical concerns.
  3. Investigations should be conducted into the relationship between Silicon Valley Bank and the Newsom administration.

House of Fauci: How Dr. Christine Grady, aka Mrs. Fauci, Used Her NIH Position To Backstop Her Husband’s Pandemic Health Directives

272 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics Pandemic response Government transparency Bioethics
  1. Dr. Christine Grady supported her husband Dr. Anthony Fauci's pandemic directives from her position at the NIH.
  2. The Faucis represent the clash between top-down public policy by elites and individual freedoms.
  3. Grady advocated for lockdowns, vaccine development, mandates, and mask-wearing, blurring ethical lines.

Newsom, Inc.

245 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Social Issues Legislation Public funding
  1. California's Newsom family is involved in a scheme of creating and solving problems to financially benefit themselves.
  2. Jennifer Siebel Newsom leverages taxpayer money to promote her nonprofit's films and curricula in public schools, potentially profiting personally.
  3. The establishment of the 'Office of First Partner' by Governor Newsom allowed Jennifer Siebel Newsom to push radical ideologies, influence policy, and receive significant taxpayer funding.