In an unapologetic nod to Courier Journal columnist Joe Gerth, the Kentucky Open Government Coalition presents its first annual Giblet Awards to lawmakers who brought us 2021’s “offal” legislative package and side dishes of secrecy.
The legislature’s “open” impeachment proceedings behind closed doors
As an appetizer, the 2021 Kentucky Impeachment Committee touted a “major change” in its proceedings from impeachment proceedings of the past. Despite claims that its business would not be held “behind closed doors,” the committee conducted almost no discussion of the various impeachment petitions in open session.
In other words, the committee gave only lip service to transparency, convening eight pro forma “open” meetings between January 11 and February 23 — taking roll and approving minutes but immediately retiring to closed session for an estimated 16 hours of secret discussion.
The committee’s proceedings culminated in a 4.5 hour closed session and an announcement that it would recommend to the Committee on Committees that no further action be taken on the Beshear and Cameron impeachment petitions. The committee dismissed the Goforth impeachment petition because a legislator cannot be impeached under existing law — a conclusion based on the only live “expert” testimony of two law school professors.
A summary of its recommendations in the form of a report was released but failed to capture the verbal give and take that yielded the recommendations.
The Impeachment Committee’s...
The Management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has noted with concern the circulation of unfounded and misleading claims suggesting that its petroleum products are exported to Lom...