More light? Not yet

The Gazette Editorial Board

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State lawmakers could have shined a little more light into the shadows of public policymaking in Iowa. Instead they tossed aside a bill that would have provided the voltage. And that's unfortunate.

The bill, SSB 3018, would have added an array of state and locally created advisory panels and study committees to the definition of governmental bodies covered by open meetings laws. And the definition of public meeting would have been expanded to include gatherings held for the “formulation of public policy or recommendations relating to public policy, concerning public business within the governmental body's duties or discretion.”

It would have provided some clarity in what has been a hazy realm of government transparency. But with a legislative funnel deadline looming, the bill was scrapped.

More and more elected officials and boards are turning over the work of studying issues and whittling down policy options to advisory panels. Clearly, these panels' deliberations have a big impact on decisions that affect Iowans.

But it's less clear whether that advisory work must be done in the open. Lawmakers could have weighed in on the side of openness.

On the bright side, a bill remains alive that would create a new public information panel to help Iowans push the doors of government open. So lawmakers can still do the right thing.

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