When The Charleston Gazette raised objections to the secrecy and it became apparent the issue wouldn't go away, state leaders killed the new group, rather than let West Virginians hear its deliberations. Underwood, Kiss and Tomblin issued a joint release blaming the task force's demise on this newspaper. By that logic, the entire state Legislature could huddle with lobbyists in complete secrecy - perhaps at The Greenbrier resort. Those who have nothing to hide don't kick out the public. They don't mind letting West Virginians hear and see them at work.
Open government is a basic principle of democracy.
The abrupt cancellation of the new task force raised public suspicion that leaders wanted something to be kept hidden. Write a letter to the editor.