Editorial

Bill improves state's open meetings law

Thursday, March 2, 2006

The public's business must be conducted in public.

It's the bedrock of our system of government.

In practice, however, it too often depends on the interpretation of officials who may not fully grasp or appreciate their responsibility to the taxpaying public.

Too often, local media are not as diligent as they should be in taking to task those who would like to keep controversial or embarrassing activities under wraps. Information which should be available is concealed for insufficient reason.

Open meetings laws are vital to Nebraska, and the Gazette has gone to the mat many times over many years to make sure information to which the public is entitled is given a full airing.

Fortunately, abuse of the rules is rare. Most officials throughout the region take their responsibilities seriously. They know that doing their jobs well requires the support of an informed constituency.

But the system can be improved. That's why we support LB898, which has been sent to the full Legislature by the Government and Military Affairs Committee.

The bill, which Sen. Don Preister of Omaha has designated his priority bill, was developed by information from an Open Meetings and Public Records working group.

Among its provisions:

* The current law, which states that the agenda must be available at least 24 hours before a meeting, would be clarified to explain exactly is meant by an agenda item. Vague wording that obscures the real topic would be unacceptable.

* It would require a copy of the open meetings law to be posted at the meeting room, as a handy reference to board members and citizens alike.

* Under current case law, a citizen who attends a meeting where a violation takes place, loses the right to challenge the closed session. Under the bill, the citizen would retain that right.

* Motions to go into closed session would no longer be the mystery they sometimes are now. The bill would require the motion to include the subject matter and the reason a closed session is required. If the motion passes, the presiding officer must restate on the record the limited subject matter for the closed meeting.

Two months into an election year, it's important that we be able to hold local officials fully accountable once they are sworn in.

LB898 provides important tools for making sure that happens.

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