Needed: Louisville government in technicolor, not 'black and white'

The Louisville Metro Council budget committee passed an amendment tonight 8-4 that's another slap in the face of taxpayers by denying a requirement that financial impact statements be issued for all new union contracts - before votes are taken on those collective bargaining agreements.

This is one of those rare times that the Courier-Journal provides more-balanced coverage on a labor issue here.

Mayor Fischer's office wants to make this about the Metro Council "interfering" in union-contract negotiations. I assume this is a strategy designed to deflect voters' attention from the real issue, which is: making it EASY for taxpayers to determine the cost of new union contracts.

When steps could be taken to make government activity more transparent and the political elites refuse to take those steps, then those politicians CANNOT in good faith claim to favor government in technicolor.

But taxpayers should demand more transparency. The more transparent government spending is -- at any level -- the lower the cost the better the product.

The full Metro Council will vote on this issue next Thursday -- Oct. 13 at 6 p.m.

Make your disapproval known before then by calling Mayor Greg Fischer's office at (502) 574-2003.