Get it done
Sometimes it takes a newcomer to point out the obvious for those who have been around awhile.
Take the case of Shane Fitzgerald, executive editor of the Times, a sister paper of the 蘑菇视频 located in Beaver County, about 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.
Fitzgerald was hired a little over a year ago, and one of the first things he discovered was that Pennsylvania has some very weak sunshine and right-to-know laws. Specifically, Fitzgerald was alarmed to find out that the state has no law requiring local municipalities and school districts to post agendas, listing matters to be deliberated or voted on ahead of meetings.
While some school boards and municipalities in Pennsylvania post agendas in advance, most don’t. Public officials generally do whatever they want at public meetings, discussing various topics as they see fit.
Most residents have no clue what’s coming up at meetings. If they’re worried that a particular topic might be discussed, they might have to attend two or three meetings before it finally comes up. That makes it very difficult for people to make sure they’re present when an issue of importance to them comes up.
No one made much of a fuss about it over the years, with most people figuring that’s just the way things were done in the state. Then along came Fitzgerald, who started writing columns and editorials about the need for agendas.
A board member of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition and the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors, Fitzgerald said 29 states require that agendas be posted.
Citing Texas where he worked for many years, Fitzgerald said that state requires 72 hours notice for a public body to make an agenda available and it limits discussion to just agenda items.
“While on the surface that could be perceived as onerous and restrictive,” said Fitzgerald. “It actually has provided government bodies with an aura of transparency in their communities that doesn’t seem to be present here in Pennsylvania.”
Fitzgerald’s writing attracted the attention of state Sen. Jim Christiana, R-Beaver, who introduced legislation mandating agendas for all municipal and school board meetings.
A hearing was held last week on the measure, and numerous speakers, including Fitzgerald, spoke out on the merits of the bill. State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, chairman of the State Government Committee, noted, “I think it’s just common sense. You would think this is already in place.”
The hope is that it will be passed by the committee and presented to the entire Senate for a vote. From there, it would go to the House for approval and then to Gov. Tom Corbett for his signature.
It sounds pretty easy, but unfortunately nothing in Harrisburg is easy. The biggest problem is that the Senate will only be in session for eight days before it recesses for the year. If nothing happens this year, the whole process will have to start over next year.
There’s also opposition to the bill from the state associations representing school boards, boroughs, township supervisors and county commissioners. They all have experienced lobbyists working on their behalf, and they’ll be doing what they can to prevent the bill from being passed.
As any Harrisburg observer can tell you, just because a bill is good for the public doesn’t mean the measure will make it into law. But voters still matter in the commonwealth and with elections right around the corner, Pennsylvania residents should flex their muscles by demanding that legislative candidates stand firm in their support for the measure.
We urge local voters and legislators to support Christiana’s bill. It’s a good law, which will make it easier for local residents to know what’s going on in their communities. How can anyone be opposed to that? If the bill does make it into law, we can all thank Fitzgerald for bringing the issue to our attention.