Posted on: Wednesday, April 9, 2003

EDITORIAL
Too much state policy made in secret

Vague outlines of a worrisome pattern are beginning to emerge from the Lingle administration as it shapes the details of its policies and approach to major issues.

Gov. Lingle has invited legislative leaders and tourism industry representatives to a "summit" April 24 to develop the state's strategy in coming years for the visitor industry.

That follows another "summit" of state and city transportation officials to help decide the future of public transportation on O'ahu. Participants in the transportation get-together included the governor and Mayor Jeremy Harris.

The key omission in both meetings: The public was not invited.

The closed-door approach is somewhat reminiscent of the manner in which the Bush administration prepared its energy policy. It skipped the vital step of openly consulting with the American people.

What was outrageous about the Bush energy meetings was the extent to which energy policy was written by the energy giant, Enron Corp., which subsequently collapsed in a welter of scandal.

Enron wasn't able to obtain everything that it wanted or needed from government, but the massive flood of contributions it made to both Democrats and Republicans bought it access that private citizens can only dream about.

The Bush administration has successfully withheld records of the energy meetings, which might more clearly have shown Enron's role. The administration's excuse for keeping this policy-making process secret was that it allowed industry officials to open up, to discuss issues freely.

Asked why the state tourism summit will be held in secret, Lingle spokesman Russell Pang said, "It's really for the industry to talk openly about the issues, so that they can talk openly, freely amongst themselves."

No one has suggested that the Lingle administration is getting ready to sell out to the tourism or transportation industries. But it is clear that these two sectors make generous campaign contributions. And they were offered a seat behind closed doors as policy is being shaped.

That leaves the general public wondering what it takes to get in on the game.