The Port of Houston Authority is the first port in Texas to receive awards under Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar’s newly enhanced Transparency Stars program.

The new program recognizes local governments for going above and beyond in their transparency efforts. The port was awarded two Transparency Stars in December in the areas of Traditional Finances and Debt Obligations.

The Comptroller’s office initially launched a Leadership Circle program in 2009 to encourage local governments to meet high standards for online financial transparency.  Port Houston applied for and received Gold level awards in 2012 and 2013, and Platinum level awards in 2014 and 2015.

The Transparency Stars program requires a local government to make available certain information relating to its traditional finances, including financial reports, budgets and data on revenues, expenditures and taxes. Additional stars may be awarded in the areas of debt obligations, public pensions, procurement, and economic development.

“We are honored to have received this recognition, and we plan to continue our practice of posting financial and other information on our website for easy access by the general public. As a government entity, we are committed to these transparency efforts,” said Ray Yi, Senior Director of Treasury.