KCC’s Open Meeting Policy Questioned

A consumer advocacy agency’s top attorney says he’ll petition the Kansas Corporation Commission to rethink new policies that would let it continue holding some discussions in private.

David Springe of the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayers Board says the new KCC policies wouldn’t comply with the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

CURB is a state agency that represents small businesses and residential customers before the KCC, which regulates utilities. KCC officials declined to respond to Springe’s criticism.

Springe objects to the new policies because the commission still could have private discussions, although any official action would have to take place in public.

The commission rewrote its policies after scrutiny of a practice in which members meet individually to approve rate increases without holding a public hearing.

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Associated Press Information from: The Topeka Capital-Journal