By Steven Greenhurt at reason.com

January 29, 2016

Two of the most frequently used but infrequently followed words in Sacramento are “transparency” and “accountability.” Gubernatorial administrations and legislators seem to understand the importance of these good-government terms when it comes to keeping the state’s massive bureaucracy in check, but it’s hard to stand up for such things when one’s pet programs are on the line—or when powerful employee groups protect their own.

One of the most entertaining examples: After becoming the Senate president pro tempore, Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles) shut down an oversight and accountability office started by his predecessor and staffed by former journalists who investigated the way state agencies were performing. But to prove that he wasn’t against oversight, the Senate leader has slapped the “oversight” label on myriad Senate hearings.

Read more at reason.com