More Open Up Beacon Hill So it Works For Us
The Open Meeting Law: An Essential Tool
An open process is critical for democracy. And the state's Open Meeting
Law, which requires that cities and towns conduct public business in public
forums, is an essential tool of openness. But the Massachusetts state government
has so far held itself exempt from the Open Meeting Law. This has opened
the door to numerous abuses. As the presence of money and lobbyists has
grown in state politics, secrecy on Beacon Hill has become more extreme.
The openness that is so important for local government is equally critical
for state government. I will advocate for holding our state-level agencies
and politicians to the same standards met by our town and city boards.
Outside Sections, Lack of Hearings, & Failure to Release Bills Prior to Votes
"Outside sections" of the budget are used to bypass the
democratic legislative process. Outside sections are amendments to the budget
that incorporate non-budgetary matters into this massive bill. This allows
controversial matters to be enacted despite avoiding the committee process,
public hearings, and roll call votes. This protects legislators from the
accountability that comes with open debate and recorded votes. Outside sections
can also allow harmful measures to be enacted "under the radar". The use
of outside sections has been criticized by groups ranging from the League
of Women Voters, Common Cause, and Citizens for Limited Taxation and Government,
as a distortion of the democratic process.
The budget process this year is being conducted with "a new level of secrecy
and uncertainty, and an increased level of anger and frustration..." The
process is carried out in "private meetings, which now form the bulk of
the budget process" which leaves "even the stakeholders most urgently interested
in budget matters confused and uninformed." (Craig Sandler, State House
News, April 28).
It has also become commonplace for the legislature to avoid releasing bills
with adequate time to allow the public - and even legislators themselves
- to read the bills. This allows measures to become law without public scrutiny.
Bills are also commonly enacted without having had public hearings.
As Secretary of the Commonwealth I will work to reverse the "trend of shunting
public policy discussions out of public view" (State House News, 4/25/05).
I will work to create the open democracy that is critical for the healthy,
just future we deserve.
