Closed Government Is Bad, No Matter Who's Slamming the Door

Open government in Raleigh? Not so much. Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, a Fayetteville Democrat, barred an N&O reporter from a legislative meeting of budget negotiators from the NC Senate & House with Gov. Easley's chief budget advisor and others.

Rand's explanation for barring the reporter was weak. Lame. An embarrassment.

It's buffalo dust like this that gives the Democratic majority in Raleigh a bad reputation. Deservedly so.