It has taken me a few days to think about how I want to write about this issue.  I have rarely, in more than 12 years writing this blog, taken a clear stand on an issue.  One reason I have written this blog as a volunteer is because I believe an informed public is an involved public.

House Enrolled Act 1338 will greatly weaken the office of Indiana’s Public Access Counselor.  That means less transparency in local government.  It means the Counselor will no longer have a 4-year term but can be fired at any time for any reason.  It means the ability of that office to provide interpretations of Indiana’s Open Meetings law and other issues of government transparency will be severely limited.

I want to thank the many people that contacted Governor Eric Holcomb’s office urging him to veto this measure.  In the end, the governor decided to sign the measure into law.

This will lower Indiana’s ranking in comparison to other states in providing transparent government.  Indiana is already at or near the bottom of the 50 states in election turnout.  This development will not help that ranking.

In 2018, U.S. News & World Report listed Indiana as 33rd among the 50 states in quality of life.  That is not a good place to be.  This law will not improve that ranking.

In 2022, the nonpartisan group, Coalition For Integrity, lists Indiana dead last in government transparency.  And that was before Governor Holcomb signed this new bill into law.  You see where I am going with this.

Why does Indiana have such a lackluster ranking for voter participation?  I would argue government transparency is a major factor.

I have lived in Indiana my entire life and appreciate the values instilled in me by living here with very good people.  Our governmental policies and laws do not always reflect those values.

I would hope that future legislators and governors would put government transparency as a high priority.  Today, in Indiana, it is not.  I find that sad.