Governor LePage is proposing a broad exemption from Maine's Right to Know laws for himself and his office. The Governor has complained about having to turn over his grocery list to pesky journalists for public review. But even the Governor's groceries are the public's business if the public is footing the bill. More importantly, Maine's Right to Know law has worked well for decades in building public confidence and understanding in our political process. Governors of all parties have always understood that their deliberations and documents were open to public review and have worked under Maine's freedom of access laws. As the Bangor Daily News stated this weekend, "LePage's proposal to shield his papers [is] an affront to Maine's traditions."
The Governor has argued that the Right to Know laws make it more difficult for the Governor to get honest advice. But Right to Know laws also guard against dishonesty -- against the corruption that secrecy inevitably breeds. History demonstrates that the dangers of corruption far outweigh the inconveniences of opening one's records to review.
The Governor and his staff wield great power, not just to legislate but to oversee the expenditure of funds and the execution of programs. With that power comes responsibility to the people. Our right to know laws ensure that the government is accountable to the people.
If the Governor has nothing to hide, then he should not seek a cloak of secrecy. The Legislature should reject LD 1805. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing at 2 pm on Thursday afternoon, February 23, before the Judiciary Committee.
