Mar 13, 2014 1 min read

State House Bill 1671, introduced earlier this week by Rep. Rick Saccone, R-Elizabeth, would narrow the instances when executive sessions could be called during public meetings. The bill would also require such sessions to be recorded so a judge might be able to later determine such a session was illegal.

The state’s Sunshine Law is highly restrictive of when executive sessions may be called and for what purposes, yet the law is routinely ignored by school boards and boards of supervisors who frequently announce an executive session to discuss “personnel” or “legal matters,” and then retire to discuss whatever they wish in secrecy.

This bill would add teeth to the law, which are needed. But we anticipate it will be greeted with vigorous resistance. Those in power like to do the public’s business in private whenever they can, and the worst offenders may be in our state Legislature.

Good luck with this one, Mr. Saccone.