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March 14, 2010

Anonymous The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Sun Mar 14, 2010, 08:30 AM CDT

MERIDIAN —     It wasn't a good week for Mississippi residents who long for more transparency in local governments.

    We, along with most newspaper across the state, had hoped to use this space today — at the beginning of Sunshine Week — to celebrate new legislation that would have added some much-needed teeth to the state's Open Meetings law.

    But legislators didn't pass it. The bill, Senate Bill 2373, died on the calendar thanks to the discouraging acts of state Rep. Ed Blackmon, D-Canton.

    The bill would have increased fines for people breaking the state's Open Meetings law from $100 to $1,000 and would have made them payable by the elected officials who break the law, not the public body (and ultimately the taxpayer). It also would have given some more power to the Mississippi Ethics Commission in cases where local governments passed ordinances in illegal, closed-door meetings.

    Even though the bill was watered down in the House, it was still a good bill.

    State Rep. Greg Snowden, R-Meridian, amended the bill to add back some of the bite that was taken away by Blackmon. That amendment passed the House 65-54.

    Blackmon’s committee had voted to increase the fines, but still had taxpayers picking up the tab.

    After Snowden amended it to put the teeth back in, Blackmon promptly held it on a motion to reconsider. And there, it died.

    Ironically, as a Clarion Ledger editorial pointed out, “Blackmon’s law firm represents the city of Canton, which has had historical problems and hostility to open government rules. He says he is concerned that local officials might not have good legal advice and could inadvertently violate the law. He should be more concerned that the taxpayers are being shut out of their government and the bad policy that creates for the people.”

    So today, our state’s grossly weak Open Meetings laws continue to make our government as transparent as a steel door. And in all honesty, don't include common sense. If a county supervisor or city official breaks the law tomorrow and a concerned citizen complains to the Ethics Commission, this is what would happen: the Ethics Commission would probe the issue. If the investigation finds the law was broken, the board — and ultimately the taxpaying citizens of that area — will have to pay the $100 fine. No, not the official who broke the law. You, the taxpayer, will have to foot the bill.

    “The way you deter the abuse is sticking guys in the pocket book,” Snowden said this week.

    Mississippi Ethics Commission Chairman Tom Hood said he was disappointed. He said he hopes the Legislature will pass a law that adds some teeth next year.

    Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant said, "I am extremely disappointed that the taxpayers will continue to pay the bill for officials that disobey our current Open Meetings Law."

    Blackmon has said he’s worried about officials who unknowingly break the law. Here’s a thought: if you can’t adhere to state law and provide citizens with one of their most basic rights — openness in government; how you’re spending their hard-earned money — then maybe you need to find another line of work.

    The hard-working citizens of Mississippi deserve better.

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