Behind Closed Doors

Some Maryland authorities operate in unnecessary secrecy.

CONSIDER the following jaw-droppers divulged at a recent meeting of Prince George's County lawmakers: The county expects a $73 million budget shortfall next fiscal year (the current operating budget is $2.7 billion); it may need to lay off hundreds of employees; County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) may attempt to circumvent the county charter to give the council more power to tax residents.

Now consider how these bombshells were revealed: Mr. Johnson told select lawmakers about them at a meeting closed to the public. The only reason residents are aware such drastic steps are in the offing is that some attendees spoke to reporters, including The Post's Rosalind S. Helderman. It seems as if Mr. Johnson didn't violate Maryland's open-meeting act, but he certainly trampled on its spirit. These are decisions that affect thousands of Prince George's residents. They shouldn't be hidden from the public.

County law requires voters to approve most tax increases, which can make it difficult for leaders to raise revenue. This month, voters overwhelmingly rejected a telephone tax that would fund schools, for example. At the meeting, Mr. Johnson told state lawmakers that he would have to slash services, furlough workers and freeze salaries unless the county uncovered new sources of revenue. To avoid such cuts, Mr. Johnson apparently suggested that legislators introduce bills to give the county broader power to levy taxes. The county's tax-by-referendum structure is overly restrictive, and Mr. Johnson is right to act with haste to avoid devastating cuts. But if residents are going to have to make drastic sacrifices, Mr. Johnson should involve them from the outset.

Also questionable is the decision by a Maryland agency to bar the public from portions of a meeting next week that will review the use of medevac helicopters after a September crash that killed four people. Robert R. Bass, the head of the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services System, says privacy is needed to discuss certain legal issues. But two Democratic state delegates, Shane E. Pendergrass (Howard) and Dan K. Morhaim (Baltimore County), have asked Mr. Bass to open the entire meeting to the public. They argue, and we agree, that the safety of the state's emergency helicopters is a matter of public concern.

Open government is the foundation of good government. Maryland officials should act accordingly.