Invest

Lawmakers have awakened a sleeping giant - Demand for transparency grows

About the Author
Jason Mercier
Director, Center for Government Reform

For years we have been calling for reforms to the legislative process to ensure real transparency and public involvement. With each new title only bill, waiving of the rules and ludicrous speed action on a bill, however, I've started to wonder if I was merely tilting at windmills. Now thanks to the indefensible process used to adopt SB 6617 last week, it appears lawmakers have awakened a sleeping giant. Consider the following newspaper articles: 

There were also these posts:

Think it's just the media expressing outrage? Type "SB 6617" in your Facebook search field and see what comes up. The public is sleeping no more. 

Additional Information
Timeline: Legislative public records debate
Should state lawmakers be held to same public disclosure requirements as local officials?
Policy Guide: Open and Accountable Government

Sign up for the WPC Newsletter

Share