Inman Repeats Call For Open Terrill Meetings

House Democrats today reiterated their request that the special committee created to investigate state Republican Rep. Randy Terrill’s felony bribery allegations hold open meetings in order to allow the public’s access to deliberations and presentations.

Rep. Scott Inman

The Democratic leader of the House of Representatives, Scott M. Inman, stated that permitting only a handful of legislators to deliberate in private goes against the principles of a democratic society in which public matters be performed in an open manner so that citizens are advised of and aware of the performance, or lack thereof, of public officials.

Earlier this morning, Terrill circulated a letter written by his attorney, Stephen Jones, to Andrew Lester, the attorney retained by Speaker Kris Steele. The letter, dated February 24, 2011, brought additional issues into question, which could be addressed if the investigative committee held open and transparent meetings.

“Like my fellow Oklahomans, I support open government and the rights of due process”, said Inman, D-Del City. “Only by holding open meetings in this investigation can we be most responsive, accountable and effective. I call on Republican leadership to put an immediate stop to their closed door meetings and instead hold these meetings in the light of day.”

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