From the Wilmington StarNews (2/19/11): A little sunshine can be cleansing, especially when the light shines directly on government. For attempting to throw the curtains wide open, a handful of Republican lawmakers, including state Sen. Thom Goolsby of Wilmington, deserve a round of applause.
They’ve sponsored identical bills in the N.C. House and Senate calling for a “Sunshine Amendment” to the state constitution. In short, it guarantees the people’s right to attend meetings of public bodies and to see documents and other information pertaining to government business, unless otherwise exempted by state law. Furthermore, it requires a two-thirds vote of each chamber to approve additional exceptions to the sunshine clause.
Should the bills pass and get the governor’s signature, North Carolina voters would decide whether to amend the constitution. This should be an easy decision: Government “of the people, by the people and for the people” can only exist if the people can see it in action, faults and all.
There is no down side to approving this amendment. It’s good for the people, and it’s good for government.
But the General Assembly could take even bolder steps by reviewing and paring down the extensive list of exceptions to current public records and open meetings laws and by subjecting itself to the same openness it requires of state and local governments. It is unfortunate that one of the first acts of this new Republican majority was to hold secret meetings to discuss upcoming legislative issues, often with free-spending lobbyists in attendance.