The idea that public business should be conducted in public is an easy concept to grasp and should be an even easier concept to embrace.
As citizens we have a right to know not only what decisions our public servants make, but how those decisions are made. The process is just as important as the end result and accountability to the taxpayer is essential for credible, honest government.
Every state has devised its own set of open meeting laws that – while they vary from state to state — guard against discussions behind closed doors.
In early 2014 a Dispatch reporter filed a complaint with the state Ethics Commission after city councilmen conducted closed-door meetings to discuss agreements with the LINK and to make decisions on the $2 million renovation of Trotter Convention Center.
On Dec. 5, the Ethics Commission issued an order stating the council and mayor violated three sections of the Open Meetings Act “when they established a quorum of the council by holding two separate gatherings on each day and discussing the same matter over which the council has authority without providing public access, providing notice or recording minutes.”
The city council appealed that ruling in chancery court four days later.
Not content to await that ruling, Columbus City Attorney Jeff Turnage asked family friend Sen. Lydia Chassaniol (R, Winona) to introduce two bills which aim to redefine the word “meeting.” Passage of either would allow public bodies to circumvent the Ethics Commission’s ruling on this matter. The redefinitions would essentially make non-quorum meetings where official business may be discussed outside the purview of the state’s Open Meetings Law.
Turnage says he simply wants the legislature to clarify the meaning of the word “meeting” in the Open Records laws. Tom Hood, executive director of the Ethics Commission says, correctly, that this is more about changing the rules than clarifying them. He says meetings such as the ones Columbus held last year have never been considered legal meetings and that the existing law is clear on that matter.
What cannot be disputed is that if these bills are passed, Mississippi will be essentially left without any meaningful Open Meeting laws. Government bodies would be given freedom to conduct business privately. That would be an anathema to open government and a betrayal of the public trust.
The Mississippi Municipal League supports the ability of public bodies to hold non-quorum meetings to discuss policy, citing more efficiency in government. There is no doubt that closed door meetings could result in faster decisions, but those messy discussions conducted in public are a cornerstone of our form of government. And a public body saying “trust us to do what’s best for you” doesn’t cut it.
Every citizen has a right to participate in his or her government. These bills could strip you of that right.
We urge you to contact your legislator and tell them that you expect them to protect this right and vote against the proposed legislation.
Although this incident emerged in Columbus, the impact would affect every Mississippian. No matter where you live, we urge you to call your legislators.
The phone numbers are: Rep. Jeff Smith, 601-359-3343 ; Rep. Gary Chism, 601-359-3364: and Rep. Tyrone Ellis 601-359-4084. Available through the State Legislature switchboard at 601-359-3770 are Sen. Chuck Younger, Sen. Angela Turner and Rep. Esther Harrison.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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