Let's Hope This Continues

Transcript: 

Hi, folks. This is State Senator Jeff Smith.

I want to talk about open, accountable government. For anyone who cares about transparency and an honest exchange of ideas, you should be concerned about the loss of open debate in committees in the State Senate.  

More and more often, republican committee chairs in the Senate are holding public hearings on bills, but then skipping in-person debate where you should expect us to have a voice. Instead, votes are cast quietly, behind closed doors, with paper ballots in the privacy of our offices.

The point of public hearings is to hear from both sides and consider improvements to a bill, but if you don’t have an in person executive session afterwards, it keeps Senators like me from offering any ideas we heard in the public hearing that might improve a bill.  

What’s the consequence? We can’t offer amendments. We can’t ask our colleagues questions. We can’t challenge bad ideas—or improve good ones—because the discussion never happens.

That's not how democracy should work.  I’ve been asking for a return to in-person executive sessions for years, and last week I had to bring it up again.  

So I was pleased when the Senate Utilities, Technology and Tourism Committee finally held an in-person executive session earlier this week.  We came together, face-to-face, to debate and vote on legislation like we’re supposed to. It’s basic governance, and I hope this starts a trend in the right direction. 

Thanks for watching, and stay engaged. This is Senator Jeff Smith, signing off.