What kind of democracy....?

Lodge: Inside the secret garden on Beacon Hill


It's common knowledge on Beacon Hill that the Legislature isn't covered by the state Open Meeting Law.

Local boards, committees, commissions and councils, yes. But not legislative committees, caucuses or confabs.

State House News Service pointed out another instance this week when House members closed the doors to discuss, in this case, the prospect of gambling casinos, with industry experts, including Kathy Scanlan, executive director of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling.

The News Service focused on the fact the Council on Compulsive Gambling, a non-profit agency that gets its funding from the state and from income from the state's four racetracks, could be forced to close after a substantial cut in funding from both sources.

"We're definitely threatened and we're trying to figure out how to recoup some funding,'' Scanlan told the News Service.

So, at a time when lawmakers are rallying the troops to support casino gambling in Massachusetts, the state is cutting back on funds for the non-profit group that treats problem gamblers.

It's true that the State House press corps in Massachusetts has been reduced to a handful of scribes because of the tough economy and battering newspapers are taking in the fight for advertising and circulation revenue. But the point of open meetings isn't to please the press; it's to make sure the public, the taxpayers and the press can know what government bodies are doing with their money, their time and their laws.

State House News Service reported that "several lawmakers who took part in the ... briefing said they had been unaware it was closed to the public.''

Rep. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, a supporter of slot machines at the horse and dog tracks, said the briefing should have been public: "I think that open and frank dialogue between all the parties that have an interest in expanded gaming makes it a better chance that the institution as a whole would make an informed decision,'' he said.

But Kathi-Anne Reinstein, a Revere Democrat who organized the briefing, told the News Service the session was closed so state reps would "feel comfortable to ask any questions without having any type of criticism.''

And what kind of democracy is that, in which the elected officials are uncomfortable asking questions because they fear criticism? It's a flawed one.

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Darn good question!