Following is an excerpt of an editorial appearing in today's Lancaster Newspaper, regarding the fight for transparency in local government:
"The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs and the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania think otherwise.
They want less transparency. They want to make it more difficult for the residents of Pennsylvania to see what government is doing.
It is with that attitude that they are opposing House Bill 2408 introduced by state Rep. Jim Christiana, R-Beaver County.
His bill would require government agencies to make meeting agendas — including a list of issues subject to official action and/or deliberation — available in public prior to public meetings or hearings. Further, agencies would have to post agendas at the meeting location and on their public websites."
Currently, Columbia Borough Council makes agendas available immediately before the start of its meetings.