Sunshine Law Officially Dead You will believe this, because it isn't too hard to believe.

Legislative leaders from both parties met in secret Monday in the office of House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh to discuss the state budget.

Although reporters and the public were not told about the meeting, The Associated Press discovered the lawmakers talking over the budget soon after a public meeting of the House Finance budget subcommittee.

But House Republican Leader Bill Dunn said he didn't consider the meeting to be secret. "I think that's why we left the (office) doors open," Dunn said.

Lawmakers were criticized as recently as last year for meeting in secret to hammer out budget issues, and some lawmakers said it's common practice to craft the state budget in private.

Legislative leaders from both parties met in secret Monday in the office of House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh to discuss the state budget.

Although reporters and the public were not told about the meeting, The Associated Press discovered the lawmakers talking over the budget soon after a public meeting of the House Finance budget subcommittee.

But House Republican Leader Bill Dunn said he didn't consider the meeting to be secret. "I think that's why we left the (office) doors open," Dunn said.

Lawmakers were criticized as recently as last year for meeting in secret to hammer out budget issues, and some lawmakers said it's common practice to craft the state budget in private.

I guess the sunshine law is no longer pertinent in the state of Tennessee  ¶ 5/22/2006 08:44:00 PM