Bunch of 'hypocrites'
The Sacramento Bee reported on Sunday that the Legilslature "plays by its own rules" when it comes to open government.
Legislature's secrecy puts cloud over Sunshine Week, critics say By John Hill - jhill@sacbee.com Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, March 16, 2008 Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A1After years as a county supervisor, Todd Spitzer believed in open government and wanted to bring a dose of it to his new home in the California Legislature.
He was about to learn a hard lesson: When it comes to open government, the Legislature plays by its own rules.
A bill Spitzer carried in 2004 would have made the Legislature subject to the same public records law that applies to everyone from the governor to Galt City Council members.
Spitzer's Assembly Bill 2714 sparked a rare instance of bipartisanship. No one on the committee, Democrat or Republican, made a motion to consider it.
"I didn't even get a courtesy vote," Spitzer recalls.
The Orange County Republican had just run up against the Legislative Open Records Act – a state law with a name that some, including Spitzer, find ironic.
"We're great about telling everyone else about having open government," Spitzer said. "When it comes to ourselves, we're complete hypocrites."
Comments
A bit like asking the fox to guard the henhouse don't you think....
Posted by: gilman | March 17, 2008 7:09 PM