Alabama voters were loud and clear when they turned down Gov. Bob Riley’s tax and accountability package on Sept. 9.

There is simply not enough accountability in state government, many said, and certainly not enough accountability in Riley’s plan.

The problem hasn’t gone away.

Luckily, several state officials have taken steps to organize the fight to keep our government honest and efficient.

It’s good to see somebody is trying to put accountability back into (or just plain into) state government.

At least a couple of those somebodies happen to be Shelby County’s own.

State Auditor Beth Chapman of North Shelby recently began a campaign to stop government waste.

And the campaign will not be paid for by state tax dollars, by the way.

The Campaign for Accountability will, however, offer a direct line (toll free) for the public to report government waste. A website will also be available.

We see taxpayers’ money wasted each day in state government.

It’s refreshing to know something is being done to stop it