For 10 hours on Monday, citizens told the Public Bills Committee that a suite of proposed legislation that will reduce government transparency and accountability is a bad idea. Most, if not all, speakers are keenly aware the Houston majority government can ignore their pleas but said they felt compelled to speak up at a time […]
I’m furious at this blatant assault on democratic transparency when we should be strengthening our institutions, not undermining them. These changes weren’t campaigned on - they’re using their majority to push through measures that directly contradict fundamental democratic principles that citizens are entitled to. Freedom of information is essential for holding government accountable; making it harder to access is a deliberate move to avoid scrutiny. Governments that fear transparency are governments that can’t justify their actions to the people they’re supposed to represent.
I’m furious at this blatant assault on democratic transparency when we should be strengthening our institutions, not undermining them. These changes weren’t campaigned on - they’re using their majority to push through measures that directly contradict fundamental democratic principles that citizens are entitled to. Freedom of information is essential for holding government accountable; making it harder to access is a deliberate move to avoid scrutiny. Governments that fear transparency are governments that can’t justify their actions to the people they’re supposed to represent.