Last spring, Kentucky’s legislature went through closed-door budget negotiations, again. When budget conferees emerged from behind the armed guards at the last minute, it was too late for citizen input. As a result, we got a spending plan for more government than we can afford.
Rep. Jim DeCesare has pre-filed a bill that would give everyone 24 hours to examine any bills relating to revenue or spending.
The smoke-filled room crowd won’t be happy with this, but the battle to open up the process will only continue to gain supporters.
While I doubt Rep. DeCesare or any other legislator can read and digest a $8 Billion budget in 24 hours, this is certainly better than forcing them to hold their noses when they vote. Why not give legislators (and taxpayers) at least a weekend in between so ALL of us will have a chance to see where OUR TAX MONEY will be spent?
Why not televise the budget proceedings just like any other legislative session on KET? Oh wait, we don’t want citizens knowing too much…