Red Devils extend winning streak to nine

By Staff
This week, proponents of free speech have reason to celebrate.
The Alabama Legislature recently approved — without a dissenting vote, no less — a new open meetings law that replaces Alabama's 90-year-old law. It provides an outline for public officials on when they can and can't meet in private, what notice they have to give to the public, and provides some real penalties for those who don't comply. The bill won approval Thursday, three days before "Sunshine Sunday," a day designated by news outlets to focus on the importance of open government. Gov. Riley declared March 13-19 as "Sunshine Week." The bill, which among other things limits the ability of government bodies to go into closed session, takes effect on Oct. 1.
The Alabama League of Municipalities plans to hold training sessions for city officials and city council members around the state to make sure they know how the new law works.
The new law clarifies some outdated language in the old bill and clears up the definition of "good name and character," — the reason given for most executive sessions by government bodies.
This law is long overdue and very good for the people of Alabama.
Govern-ment in the United States is of the people, by the people, and for the people. Unfortun-ately, some government bodies, including at times in the past some local city councils, wanted to do things outside the view of "the people."
We applaud the new bill and the various people who have worked so hard to get this bill made into law.
An open government and an accountible government is the best kind of government, and this law helps in that regard.