Openness in state government sought by county officials

The Iowa State Association of Counties is pressing lawmakers to give the public more of a chance to speak out about bills being considered by the Iowa Legislature. Iowa State Association of Counties executive director Bill Peterson says committees in the legislature should accept testimony on any legislation that’s being proposed. Peterson says citizens and representatives of groups like his can “buttonhole” individual legislators before a committee meeting to talk about a proposal, but there is no attempt to take public testimony on a bill before a vote is taken. Peterson says that’s “very unique in this country.” Peterson says virtually every other state has some forum that gives the public a chance to make a statement on a bill before a committee takes a final vote.