Ledger: Abolish Elected MDOT

Marshall Ramsey pokes fun at the MDOT Open Meeting case. Actually, the cartoon was likely the best thing coming out this matter from the perspective of Wayne Brown, Bill Minor and Butch Brown. We expect they'll have it on the their office walls.

But the Clarion Ledger editorial today makes it clear this is more than just bypassing Dick Hall.

It's not a matter of excluding just Hall. It's a matter of excluding the press, the public and everyone else with a right to witness the discussion of a public works project funded with taxpayer dollars.

How many other "dinner" discussions decide transportation policy for taxpayers, when taxpayers aren't invited?

This is just another in a long line of excellent arguments for abolishing the elected Transportation Commission and making MDOT accountable to the taxpayers - not just to the chosen few.

In years past, previous MDOT officials have not had a stellar record of honest public service. Violating the Open Meetings law does nothing to repair that reputation.