Risk of security cost disclosure is politics
The recent legislative attempt for review of Gov. Doug Burgum’s security and travel expenses is an entirely reasonable proposition.
Excluding the requirement to publicly reveal internal details of the governor’s personal security, of course.
It is a fiscally responsible move in terms of principle – the more transparency, the better. Gov. Burgum has personally been a powerful and vocal supporter of more transparency.
Even setting aside prior reasonable questions about the governor’s expenses, it is just good policy to make transparency as broad as possible.
The information should be available.
However, there is a risk attached to the effort. That risk is that the attempt appears to the public as being political and not an issue of oversight. There has been friction between the Legislature and governor’s office and has been since Gov. Burgum was elected. Some has been principled and some petty. This is 2019, and perception is – often sadly – as or more important than reality.
It would be preferable if an agreement was reached without legislation. That would diminish the possibility of political air to surround the situation.
The more amicable the process, the better.