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March 5, 2007

Gorham wants more transparency

House Minority Whip Nicholas Gorham, R-Coventry, used the passage of the House rules last week as an opportunity to try to make a few points about transparency and open government in the General Assembly. While none of his proposed amendments came close to being passed -- most were rejected down straight party lines -- they did at least raise a few questions about how things work in the State House. And that, after all, was Gorham’s point.

His first suggestion was to change the rules to essentially require committees to have written copies of legislation before them if a vote was to be taken. Lawmakers often make verbal changes to bills in committee, vote and then have their staff write in the changes later.

But the Democratic majority was quick to reject Gorham’s idea. Majority Whip Peter F. Kilmartin, D-Pawtucket, said Gorham was “just creating another burden on the committees.”

“If you are a believer of extending the session,” Kilmartin told his colleagues, “vote for this.”

Gorham countered that members should vote “as informed legislators rather than guessing about what’s in a bill.”

“It’s a good idea to read things before you vote on them,” he said.

Another one of Gorham’s proposals that failed: requiring roll call votes for any measure that would lead to an increase in taxes.

Gorham also tried to force the House to follow the state’s Open Meetings Law. The General Assembly exempted itself from the act.

“We impose this on all other public bodies,” Gorham said. “If you think this will lengthen the legislative session, you have the empathy of every council and school committee in the state.”

Kilmartin responded that the House already has “a very open process.”

egudrais@projo.com

Posted by Pam Cotter  at 9:00 AM | Permalink

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