Democrats shine light on Legislature; Republicans operate in the dark

From the Casper Star-Tribune:

Democratic legislators are inviting members of the public to attend their pre-session caucus Sunday at the Hitching Post Inn in Cheyenne.

The caucus begins at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m. people who attend will be invited to briefly address the legislators, caucus chairmen Rep. Ross Diercks and Sen. Mike Massie said in a release.

The Republican legislative caucus traditionally has been closed to the public. This year apparently will be no different. But Sen. Kit Jennings, R-Casper, chairman of the Senate Republican conference, said he will put the question on the agenda for discussion Sunday and see if the Republican legislators want to open the caucus next year.

Rep. Tom Lubnau, R-Gillette, chairman of the House Republican caucus, said he was polling House Republicans on the issue but said the caucus probably will remain closed.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal will talk to the Republican caucus at 1:45 p.m. Sunday, followed by a 2:15 p.m. address to the Democrats.