Even as we add new agencies to the two dozen already featured on our government salaries database, we’re beginning the process of updating them.

We hope to do so every six months.

A number of news Web sites are now providing this information, using different formats but with largely the same results: Praise from some quarters, including watchful taxpayers, and criticism from others, including employees whose names are listed.

Why we do it is explained in the introduction to the database, called “Who’s On Your Payroll?”

“You can use this database to find and compare thousands of local government jobs in the Bay area. The information is public record. It is provided to help you understand how your tax dollars are being spent, which is of special importance as governments adjust to the current economic crisis.”

I would add one more observation: You can’t know whether government works unless you can see what it’s doing in your name.

And as we’ve asked before, please let us know what you think about posting these salaries. Add a comment below (it requires simple registration) or send us an .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

You can also check this list of links to similar sites in other communities.

- A comprehensive database of state and local employees from Courier-Journal.com in Louisville

- State of Indiana employees from indystar.com in Indianapolis

- State of North Carolina employees from Charlotteobserver.com

- Missouri state employees from KansasCity.com

- And California state employees, subject of much debate among union leaders there, from sacbee.com in Sacramento.

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