Bee Editorial
'Sunshine Laws' a cornerstone of democracy
Laws enacted to allow the public and media access to governmental proceedings are usually perceived as a benefit to the people represented by these officials.

Yet these "sunshine laws" are equally beneficial to the elected officials themselves, as they allow for input from both sides of a topic and give them a firm foundation from which to make a decision.

Open government is a key element to democracy, appropriately designed to give citizens immediate access to the workings of the men and women elected to represent them. Secret ballots are never permitted, even under the rare cloak of a closed or "executive session." Records of disciplinary action, attendance and salary are likewise deemed to be public information.

"Sunshine Week" is being observed nationally from March 16-22. Three-quarters of American adults view the federal government as secretive, and nearly nine in 10 say it's important to know presidential and congressional candidates' positions on open government when deciding who to vote for, according to a Sunshine Week survey by Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University.

We have the legislation at our fingertips to eliminate secrecy - real or perceived - at all levels of government. Elected officials should respect and work in concert with this transparency. It is just as important for citizens and the media alike to call for this openness without fear of retribution.

Governments at the grassroots level are no less affected by "Sunshine Laws." As elected representatives as well as our neighbors, these men and women must realize our right to know is as inalienable a right as our ability to give them the sacred opportunity to represent us.