Transparency, really? - Our view: Skepticism is justified
If you’re not interested in a rant on the lack of government transparency, or the suggestion your local and state officials aren’t as open about when and how they conduct the public’s business as they would want you to believe, feel free to turn the page.
You could say this is a bit of a reminder for both the public and elected officials. Healthy skepticism is reasonable.
The most glaring, high-level example of a lack of transparency is the recently-completed budget discussions between Gov. Tim Walz, the DFL-controlled House of Representative and the Republican-controlled Senate. Negotiations on a $45 billion budget were conducted behind closed doors. Lawmakers in the secret negotiations used back stairways to avoid answering questions. At one point, capitol police were summoned to remove reporters from a hallway so state lawmakers partaking in the secret budget talks could avoid having to answer questions posed by waiting reporters.
While we have previously lauded state lawmakers and the governor for compromise, it was apparently too dangerous for the public to know how they were setting the path of the state’s future and ºspending your money. Feel a little insulted? You should. Make no mistake, fault rests with the Republicans and Democrats alike. Both parties will tell you all about the importance of transparency in government while slamming the doors to public access. You have the right to scoff. It’s an amazing talent, the ability to talk out of both sides of the mouth.
Last month, the Glencoe City Council took advantage of state law allowing the council to meet in secret to discuss a potential land deal. The owner of the former Helen Baker Elementary School site offered to sell the property to the city. Council members needed less than five minutes to emerge from a closed-door meeting having decided they weren’t interested. Assuming there was a presentation on the terms of the proposed deal, council members needed only a second or two to decide there is, and rightfully so, no interest by the City of Glencoe to playing the role of land developer. Councilors would have been well advised to wait at least a few minutes to create the illusion the proposal was thoroughly discussed after an in-depth presentation.
This is also a city council that recently decided to reduce its workshops from two per month to one.
The Glencoe-Silver Lake School Board has not conducted a workshop since at least last August. And yet, nearly every item on school board agendas pass unanimously. It is likely administrators have a good working idea of what board members will and will not accept before placing items on capital expenditures or education policy discussions on the meeting agendas. No doubt the board will have long and very public talks over the summer and into the early fall on the importance of supporting the upcoming property tax excess levy referendum.
The point of this commentary is to encourage people to pay attention to their elected officials with a bit of skepticism in government at all levels. We need elected officials willing to serve. We must have a balance between appreciation of work done by people willing to serve and questioning the motivation for decisions. Ask your elected officials questions. Expect answers and don’t settle for party line talking points.
You have good reason for a healthy, balanced skepticism. It is your right.
We recommend you exercise it.
-jm
