To the Editor:
If you’ve ever tried tracking a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature, you most probably have experienced frustration and no small amount of difficulty. Act on Mass has proposed a pledge for the state House of Representatives.
In short, the pledge includes the following three rule amendments:
- All votes held in legislative committees are publicly disclosed.
- Bills are made public 72 hours before a final vote.
- The threshold for a publicly disclosed vote is eight House members rather than the current 16.
Transparency is the key to good governance, and the Act on Mass pledge empowers constituents in their pursuit of information and their engagement in their democracy. This is a good beginning to help citizens speak out at the state level.
Perhaps it’s time to join 27 other states that have already passed transparency bills. If we want a more involved and representative democracy, we need to ask for more government transparency.
For more information:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/19/opinion/its-time-lawmakers-support-an-open-house/
Deb Bayer
Paula Nesoff
Hull residents Bayer and Nesoff are retired educators.
