To the editor:

The Kansas House approved on Monday a “pay-go” plan which will allow House caucuses to meet behind closed doors. This option to keep meetings closed runs against the grain of most Kansans who want the public and the media to know what’s occurring in the legislative process. Sunshine laws have been a mainstay in Kansas for a long time. The late Clyde Reed, former editor and publisher of the Parsons Sun was especially a devotee of that policy. I learned that quickly after a meeting I chaired in Parsons wasn’t readily available to the press.

Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, said that the majority of the House Appropriations Committee –12 of 23 members — would have more power than the remaining 113 members of the House.

It should be duly noted that newly minted Rep. TerriLois Gregory, R-Baldwin City, voted for this proposed closed-door policy option. Voters in the 10th District should take note of her votes if she is to be supported in the next election. Many of us consider ourselves to be Independents and don’t take well to party-line votes.