Let’s support bill to make government more transparent

Although residents fiercely support grassroots governance, they also need to keep their eyes open, because from time to time local governments try to slip laws by them, and it is all perfectly legal.

It comes in many forms. Sometimes a controversial item is stuck at the very end of the agenda so even some of the residents who typically attend municipal meetings leave before it’s discussed.

Sometimes it comes after a long executive session where, again, residents become impatient and leave before the elected officials return to regular session.

Sometimes an item is added to an already set agenda at the last minute, and interested residents are blindsided and not in attendance.

In an effort to eliminate some of these shenanigans, the state House of Representatives recently unanimously passed a bill that requires municipalities to post agendas on their websites and at the meeting location no later than 24 hours before the meeting to reduce or eliminate some of these surprises from occurring.

It will also prevent passage of a measure not on the agenda unless added by a majority vote and requires agendas to be made available to the public not only before but during meetings.

Introduced by Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-Beaver, Butler and Lawrence, House Bill 1069 has the support of most of our local senators, who plan to vote for it if and when it comes to a floor vote.

The bill would amend the state’s Sunshine Act by requiring this necessary step by local agencies to ensure transparency and public involvement.

That’s why Bernstine and his House colleagues have championed this bill that requires meeting agencies to make agendas — including a listing of each matter of agency business that will be the subject of official action and/or deliberation — available to the public prior to all public meetings in addition to including such information in the official public notices.

“In today’s hectic, fast-paced world, it is important that we give our constituents the tools they need to participate in government in a meaningful way,” Bernstine said. “If citizens and taxpayers can access information regarding a public meeting agenda prior to the meeting, then they will know whether issues of importance or concern are to be addressed. It will ensure that those who vote to add an action item to the agenda at the last moment will be held accountable to the public.”

As it is now, Times News journalists report a mixed bag when it comes to municipalities and school districts providing agendas. For example, the Lehighton, Palmerton and Jim Thorpe school boards post agendas usually a few days before the scheduled meetings; however, Panther Valley and Tamaqua do not.

Lehighton Borough Council and the West Penn, Franklin and Lower Towamensing townships supervisors do not post their agendas. They have, however, faxed agendas when requested.

Some websites are out of date. For example, Parryville has not updated its council meeting minutes since 2015. Some smaller municipalities, such as Packer Township in Carbon County (population 987), do not have websites, although a spokeswoman for the supervisors said they are discussing developing one.

Three of the four local state senators plan to vote for the bill if it comes to a floor vote. “I can’t imagine why anyone would vote against this bill,” said Sen. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe/Northampton, who predicts a unanimous favorable vote in the Senate. “I am in favor of transparency. When citizens have an interest in ordinances, they should be made aware of when their government is planning discussion or action,” Scavello said.

Sen. David Argall, R-Schuylkill, said that it is important that all levels of government operate with transparency, which was clearly demonstrated by the unanimous, bipartisan vote to pass this bill in the House.

Sen. John Yudichak, I-Carbon, said that “Our citizens deserve a government that is open and transparent and allows them to participate to their fullest abilities. House Bill 1069 has this potential.”

There was no response from Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Lehigh and Northampton, to my request for comment.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com