Arkansas House Says No To More Transparency

Thursday, November 5, 2009 11:19 AM by Mattie Duppler

While CFA and ATR have been leading the call for more transparency in the legislative process - highlighting such transparency travesties as the "stimulus" bill and the cap-and-trade bill in the house, we are also following developments in the states. Unfortunately, not all news is good news.

Yesterday, Arkansas representatives voted against increasing the waiting period before bills can be brought to the floor from 24 hours to 48 hours. The amendment offered to the rules by Rep. Andrea Lea (R-Russellville) was said to be a response to constituent requests for more time to read legislation before it is voted on - failed with only 30 House members voting in support and 17 voting "present." If you are in Arkansas and would like to see if your representative voted against transparency, click here.

While the amendment did not require bills to be posted online before it hits the floor (to ensure all citizens have access to it before a vote takes place) the recognition of state leaders that the legislative process is too rushed and, as a result, too opaque, is a good step in the right direction. Hopefully we will start to see move movement on laws codifying these sentiments in the near future.

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