Mixed message provided about open government

  Leaders of the Arizona Senate sent a mixed message about open government Monday at the start of "Sunshine Week," a nationwide event designed to focus attention of the public's right to know about the operations of its government agencies.

  Senate President Bob Burns joined with fellow Senate Republicans to proclaim their commitment to open government, citing a number of pending bills that included ones for municipalities to provide searchable online databases listing expenses and a requirement to post open meeting notices online.

  Certainly, making information more readily available to citizens, whether it be online or through other methods, is commendable. We will always applaud those efforts.

  However, at the same time GOP leaders were patting themselves on the back for their openness, they did something that limits the ability of reporters to get information for the public.

  Since the 1960s, space has been provided in the Arizona Legislature buildings for reporters who cover the activities of the House and Senate. Reporters use this space to maintain files, gather information and prepare stories while being in close proximity to the lawmakers they need to talk to for information.

  It's advantageous for the reporters and for lawmakers and is a common practice in legislatures across the nation, as well as other government agencies. For example, the White House provides an area for reporters covering the president.

  Burns, however, confirmed Monday at the same meeting where he was touting openness that space for the reporters will no longer be available due to a need to use the room for GOP caucuses. When asked if space could be made available in a different location, reporters were told no.

  The space need not be all that large. Only about a dozen reporters cover the State Capitol on a regular basis. And they willingly pay for it at a reasonable rate. Currently, each reporter pays $77 a month for use of the room where they work.

  We are sure lawmakers can find ways to use whatever space they have for various purposes. But isn't it sensible to make it convenient for reporters to gather information for the public about what their Legislature is doing - especially when you are bragging about your commitment to open government?