Shining a light: State Democrats take pass on transparency survey

The Nevada Press Association and the Nevada Policy Research Institute recently conducted a joint survey on government transparency.

The survey, which asked just six questions on reforms that would make government business more open to public scrutiny, was distributed about two months ago to all 161 legislative candidates and state senators whose terms expire in 2014. Among Republicans, 41 of 77 responded. Among Independent Americans, five of seven responded. But among Democrats, only 14 of 77 responded - including just two incumbents.

A Democratic Party source told the Review-Journal's Ed Vogel that candidates boycotted the survey because of the Nevada Policy Research Institute's involvement. NPRI is a free-market think tank that generally opposes Democratic positions on fiscal, taxation and education policy.

But NPRI also has been highly critical of Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval's economic development and diversification plans, as well as his support for extending temporary tax increases to bolster the state's general fund.

And surely the Nevada Press Association can't be accused of partisanship. Its interest is in preserving public access to government so anyone - not just the media - can learn where their tax dollars are going and be involved in shaping policy and the law.

Attacking the questioner may just be a way of avoiding the questions. In fact, Democrats have been hostile to some of the reforms mentioned in the survey. Among its questions: Should contract negotiations with public employee unions be open for the press and public to observe?

Indeed, state Sen. Sheila Leslie of Reno, a Democrat, had the principle to respond, but said she wouldn't support opening union talks to the taxpayers who are on the hook for whatever agreement is reached. This single reform might be the most effective way to control unsustainable public-sector personnel costs.

The good news: About 90 percent of the survey's respondents support the transparency agenda, which also would apply the open meeting law to the Legislature, give the public 72 hours to read bills before they go to a floor vote and require lobbyists to report gifts and spending on lawmakers when the Legislature is not in session. Some of these ideas mesh well with the agenda unveiled last week by Assemblyman Pat Hickey, R-Reno.

More transparency in government leads to increased accountability. When politicians dodge questions about open government, however, it's transparently lame.