Open the government

Local TV this morning featured a sound bite with a Blair County representative on the prospect of open-records reform.

I didn't hear it but did read the words (in the gym you follow it that way). He essentially said he's open and he doesn't hear from anybody on this, so he sees no need to spend time on it. So there.

No need to revise a law that's 50 years old and an embarrassment to Pennsylvania and its citizens.

The TV reporter could and should have asked followups but that's his/her problem.

Our problem, collectively, is that state government -- starting with the Legislature -- doesn't feel the need to let taxpayers know much of anything.

That may change with reform, but a Senate committee yesterday polluted the Senate bill on this with exception after exception, and the House is now mired in amendment after amendment to a flawed bill that emerged from its committee.

It's time, Harrisburg, to open the people's government. It's time to let Pennsylvanians know what they're spending their money on.

It's time, and if legislators don't improve this 50-year-old law this time, voters should know, collectively, that they don't want us to know.

That would be some music to face when legislators go around seeking votes next time around. So the choice is theirs.

I hope you join with me in pushing for open government in a way not seen in Pennsylvania. It's truly time.

Here's our editorial today. We see the need.