What's the big secret?

Editors from The Winsted Journal and our sister publication, The Lakeville Journal, were slightly perturbed last month when Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced she was holding “private� budget meetings with Connecticut legislators.

Rell and those involved in the meetings said closed doors would allow differing parties to come to a candid agreement on the $37 to $38 billion package and concurrent $8.5 billion deficit.  Rell and Democratic legislators hope to hammer out the details before a public debate in the General Assembly; but now, even members of Rell’s own party are expressing disappointment.

Republicans in the Legislature learned this week that Rell has held two meetings with Democratic leaders at the governor’s mansion without inviting members of the GOP. Connecticut taxpayers from all parties who are wondering what’s going on should be asking why everything has to be such a big secret.

Understandably, it would be nice to see the governor and the Democratic-controlled Legislature come to an agreement on the budget instead of trading barbs in the press and in television commercials, but the public has a right to know what’s going on. Details of the negotiations have not been released and no one really knows if any progress has been made.

The only thing we know for sure this week is Rell wants to have a budget signed before Pennsylvania beats her to the punch. That sentiment is cute but far from satisfying.

Connecticut politicians have thankfully stopped making public scenes out of their disagreements, but the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction. When members of the governor’s own party are crying foul, it is clear that something is wrong. Closed budget meetings need to be limited and, regardless of party affiliation, the public should be informed about the status of negotiations.

The governor and legislators have had plenty of time to get their stories straight behind closed doors. It’s time to go public.