Local governments in Georgia are ignoring a new law requiring they electronically post their budgets in a move meant to increase financial transparency.

The law requires governments with annual budgets of more than $1 million to send an electronic copy of their spending plan to the University of Georgia, which posts them online. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that only 33 percent of cities, 57 percent of counties and 83 percent of school districts had submitted their budgets by Friday.

Governments must submit their budgets 30 days after approving them. Budgets must typically be approved by the end of the June 30 fiscal year.

Jack Starver, chairman of the Northwest Georgia 9-12 project, called the law toothless and said it needs to be changed.

Tags: budget, local governments, online budgets, financial transparency