From the Charlotte Observer (6/21/10): The notion that good government must be open and transparent, answering to informed and empowered citizens, was fundamental to America's creation. The Founding Fathers made that clear.
Yet to this day, many elected leaders and government staffers in Charlotte and across the state and nation strive to keep the people’s business a secret. An N.C. Supreme Court ruling handed down Thursday powerfully reaffirms the sanctity of a government of the people, by the people and for the people. A fight brewing in the N.C. Senate, though, points to politicians’ continuing resistance to that concept.
Court backs public records
The high court ruled 7-0 – unanimously! – Thursday in an important public records case. It said the Court of Appeals wrongly dismissed a complaint by the State Employees Association against the state treasurer’s office and then-Treasurer Richard Moore. The employees group had repeatedly requested all documents pertaining to the treasurer’s investment of money in the state pension plan. The treasurer’s office produced some documents but, according to the employees group, not all.