The Vermont League of Cities and Towns is on a mistaken tack by pushing to limit liability for violations of the state's open meeting law. The lobbyist's unrelenting efforts to choke off transparency and accountability in local municipalities should alarm any Vermonters who cares about open government.
The most disturbing thing about the situation is that VLCT essentially is using taxpayer funds to pay for their efforts to limit the public's right to know. The organization that lobbies the Legislature on behalf of cities, towns and villages is supported by dues paid by the local municipalities.
VLCT worked to revive a provision of a bill, S.114 that would have limited the "penalties, fines, and legal fess for the violations of the Open Meeting Law" to selectboards, school boards and city councils, as well as zoning boards, development review boards and planning commissions. Continue>>>
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