Legislation to create a free, searchable database with government information on all federal grants and contracts picked up the endorsement of Republican Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels last week (Daniels is a former Director of the Office of Management and Budget). Daniels sent seperate letters to Indiana Senators Evan Bayh (D) and Richard Lugar (R) urging them to support the bill. Interestingly enough, Daniels' letter highlights the importance of the proposed database not to decrease funding and root out waste, fraud, and abuse (although he does mentin that) but as a tool for states to be able to identify and compete for additional federal resources. Daniels' - who we believe has a good head on his shoulders - certainly understands the myriad positive aspects of this database. In addition, the bill received an official cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office. CBO expects the legislation to cost $15 million over the next five years.