At the Stockbridge Town Meeting, Nick Nadorff asked about taxpayer money being granted to private entities such as Stockbridge library, the Affordable Housing Trust, and Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad. (Taxpayer money refers to the funds collected by governments which are then used to finance public services, government operations, investments, and shared societal needs.)

Sally Underwood-Miller, Chair of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), rose and explained that through CPC, recommendations are made for taxpayer dollars to be granted to many private entities such as Norman Rockwell Museum and more.

First, why is this in Journalism Corner? We report the story – who, what, where, when – and also why and how. (SU generally puts why and how in Editor’s notes). So, how are tax dollars awarded to private organizations on the national, state, and local level?

Through legislation, the government identifies for which services tax dollars can be granted to a private entity. Let’s use CPC as an example. CPC can recommend grants be awarded to a private sector organization in three predetermined areas only: open space and recreation, historic preservation, and affordable housing.

Next, the government informs the private organization. Interested parties apply. In the application, they demonstrate their ability to do the job; explain specifically what they intend to do, in which of the three categories it fits, and the exact cost of completing the task. To receive the funds, the grantee must demonstrate it did what it promised and used the money as promised. The organization is reimbursed rather than awarded the money in advance. So, your tax dollars are given away to private organizations only when they satisfy the conditions. Why? Because sometimes the private sector can do it better and there is a realization that government cannot do everything.

Nadorff asked a good question. It is important that the people know how our tax dollars are used. Not everyone follows the rules and taxpayers should know when they don’t. It is the job of journalism to keep us informed.