Indiana

If You Want Transparency, Open Your Eyes!

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I’m in Chicago today for a legal seminar and a couple other things, but I’ve noticed a repeated call for transparency for the Capitol Improvement Board.

As much as some people would like to think that it is a mysterious cabal that operates in darkness with robes and a pentagram, it really isn’t.   The meetings are public and anyone can  ask questions.  You just have to show up.

The CIB is a quasi-municipal board, which means even though the members are not elected, they are all appointed and there is oversight.   They have no authority to raise taxes.  And a copy of their budget and finances are available if you just ask for it. The meetings are not broadcast live, but they are replayed on Channel 16.

So contrary to popular, and usually uninformed opinion, there is no conspiracy here.  All you have to do is take some initiative and show up and ask a question.

By the way, you’ll notice the recurring theme here is called show up.  And yes, I do know when the next meeting is, but let’s see if anyone here can find out for themselves and I’ll see you there.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on April 06, 2009 (boomark / email).