STATE SENATOR PLAYS FAST AND LOOSE WITH OPEN MEETINGS LAW

The press is asleep at the switch. Oh no, not again!

Yes, I’m afraid so, as all of the reporters, editors and editorial writers who covered the recent dust-up over Colorado Senate President Brandon Shaffer (of Longmont) meeting with fellow Democrats unannounced and behind closed doors at the state capitol seem to have missed the most important point: This was an egregious violation of the Colorado Open Meetings law.

Briefly, this how the law is explained:

“Legislative Policy: It is declared to be a matter of statewide concern and the policy of this state that the formation of public policy is public business and may not be conducted in secret.

“Who is covered? All boards, committees, commissions, authorities or other advisory, policy-making, rule-making or other formally constituted bodies and any public or private entity which has been delegated a governmental decision-making function by a body or official are included under the law.

“State Public Body includes General Assembly, governing boards of institutions of higher education, state agencies, boards, commissions, etc.

“Local Public Body includes all political subdivisions of the state, such as counties, municipalities, home rule cities, school districts, special districts, metropolitan districts and RTD. (Generally, meetings between staff members are not considered open.)

“Executive Sessions: An executive session is permitted only during a regular or special meeting (a certain formula must be followed). State Public Body (in this case the Legislature) can go into executive session only after two-thirds of the entire body vote in favor. Local Public Body can go into executive session only after two-thirds of the quorum present vote in favor.”

The Denver Post published an editorial mildly chastising Shaffer, referring to the closed-door retreat as merely “a Democratic workshop.” To its credit, however, the Post had earlier requested Shaffer to hold the Democratic Party responsible for reimbursing the taxpayers $4,300 for expenses involved.

We either have open government or we don’t and open is best. Most people outside government understand this truism. What makes so many of them change after we elect them to office? Is Sen. Shaffer above the law?

Longmont voters have made two serious mistakes in recent elections by putting Progressives (neo-liberals) in office. First, sending tax-and-spend Shaffer to the State Senate was bad enough, but after supporting Betsy Markey's election to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 4th Congressional District, she "rewards" the people of Longmont by closing the local contact office, a very valuable service that Representative Marilyn Musgrave maintained throughout her tenure in office.

The Progressives are moving Longmont backwards, even in City Hall.