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Monday, January 21, 2008
Ind. Gov't. - "Legislative hearings lack cushy confines"
John Byrne of the Gary Post-Tribune writes today about legislative committee meeting rooms, mentioning the same things the ILB remembers -- they are always too small to get a seat -- belying the label of "public" meeting. A quote:
Glorified broom closets often host the legislators and crowds of interested officials, lobbyists and citizens (aka noncombatants) there to testify about the merits of a particular bill.Chairs are fought over jealously in these meetings, with VIPs sending flunkies ahead to stake claims, and ostentatious briefcases left on seats as territorial markers long before testimony begins. * * *
The handful of remaining chairs were quickly snatched up, leaving a man who had made a special trip to the Statehouse for Daniels' appearance griping about getting cut out of the governmental process.
"I drove up here from Evansville for this?" the guy shouted. "So I can stand out in the hall and watch on TV? Where are the seats?"
Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 21, 2008 10:11 AM
Posted to Indiana Government