It is difficult to imagine the political chaos that would ensue if a number of state legislators were to be killed in a terrorist attack on the state capitol. Unfortunately, it's not as difficult to envision the capitol as a potential target.
That's why the Legislature was wise to begin discussions this summer on how leadership would be quickly restored to state government should such a terrible event occur. However, a bill under consideration was headed down a very wrong path when it allowed for each legislator to select a set of secret successors. Thankfully, the bill was tabled Tuesday by a state Senate that had grown skittish about the secrecy provision.
Though provisions for legislative successors already exist, proponents of Senate Bill 227 said a quicker system was necessary. The bill would have required legislators to select between three and seven emergency interim successors. The list would be kept secret and not be subject to inspection or copying under the state's Open Records Laws.
If an emergency or attack occurred that created nine or more Senate vacancies or 25 or more vacancies in the Assembly, the presiding officer or his or her designee would choose interim replacements. They would remain in place until an election was held or the emergency was ended.
The logic behind making the list of successors inaccessible - to help protect potential legislators from attack - is understandable. But in a free and open government, doing so simply is unacceptable. It makes sense for requiring lawmakers to pick possible successors. That's a reasonable way to ensure a coherent and quick filling of vacancies, and resumption of government services and decision-making. But the people have a right to know who those potential leaders would be. The bill's author, Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, said Tuesday too many people are uncomfortable with the potential for secret successors. He said he plans to revise the bill in the fall, and is open to making successors public.
Some other provisions of the bill are legitimate, including allowing for the designation of a temporary state capitol of the Legislature's choosing should the Madison isthmus be inaccessible. The bill also would have allowed for virtual meetings and votes, if necessary, an appropriate measure as long as all proceedings and votes were accessible to the public in some form.
Among the goals of terrorist attacks is to coax democratic governments into actions that diminish the freedoms their people enjoy. An open government is one of the greatest freedoms that a democracy must protect. A secret list of potential lawmakers is anything but open. Any future bill to ensure a smooth succession in government in the event of an emergency must not include any such provision.
That's why the Legislature was wise to begin discussions this summer on how leadership would be quickly restored to state government should such a terrible event occur. However, a bill under consideration was headed down a very wrong path when it allowed for each legislator to select a set of secret successors. Thankfully, the bill was tabled Tuesday by a state Senate that had grown skittish about the secrecy provision.
Though provisions for legislative successors already exist, proponents of Senate Bill 227 said a quicker system was necessary. The bill would have required legislators to select between three and seven emergency interim successors. The list would be kept secret and not be subject to inspection or copying under the state's Open Records Laws.
If an emergency or attack occurred that created nine or more Senate vacancies or 25 or more vacancies in the Assembly, the presiding officer or his or her designee would choose interim replacements. They would remain in place until an election was held or the emergency was ended.
The logic behind making the list of successors inaccessible - to help protect potential legislators from attack - is understandable. But in a free and open government, doing so simply is unacceptable. It makes sense for requiring lawmakers to pick possible successors. That's a reasonable way to ensure a coherent and quick filling of vacancies, and resumption of government services and decision-making. But the people have a right to know who those potential leaders would be. The bill's author, Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, said Tuesday too many people are uncomfortable with the potential for secret successors. He said he plans to revise the bill in the fall, and is open to making successors public.
Some other provisions of the bill are legitimate, including allowing for the designation of a temporary state capitol of the Legislature's choosing should the Madison isthmus be inaccessible. The bill also would have allowed for virtual meetings and votes, if necessary, an appropriate measure as long as all proceedings and votes were accessible to the public in some form.
Among the goals of terrorist attacks is to coax democratic governments into actions that diminish the freedoms their people enjoy. An open government is one of the greatest freedoms that a democracy must protect. A secret list of potential lawmakers is anything but open. Any future bill to ensure a smooth succession in government in the event of an emergency must not include any such provision.
