Del. Senate supports 'unconstitutional' open-government bill

The Delaware Senate approved a bill that would stop budget writing committees from having closed-door meetings but would keep communications by legislators private, the AP reported. Senate attorney Jeff Clark warned that the bill was unconstitutional because members of one legislative chamber cannot bind the other through statute and a current legislature can't pass a law that controls future sessions of the General Assembly.

The state Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved a House bill aimed at making the legislature more transparent to the public despite being told by a staff attorney that the bill is unconstitutional.

Two members of the Democratic majority openly admitted they were voting for the bill because of how they might be perceived by the public.

“For the sake of perception, we can probably do this,” said Sen. Harris McDowell III, D-Wilmington, after reminding colleagues of their attorney’s opinion.

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