Transparency has suffered greatly in local government this year. The Mecklenburg Board of Commissioners effectively voted on a budget via email. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board withheld information about the departing superintendent. City Council members’ expenditures came under fire.
Some elected officials believe certain work is best achieved behind closed doors. The public does not. The equalizer is the ability for the press or citizens to request meeting minutes, emails and texts involving public officials or staff members. Nothing, however, requires government to provide that information quickly. This needs to change. (Read more here…)