If governing happens behind closed doors, is it still democracy?

^{Roni Minter, formerly incarcerated, has started several organizations to change the criminal justice system. (Photo: from CBS6Albany 12/29/24 interview of Minter reacting to the murder by prison guards of Robert Brooks.)}

For years, I have walked the halls of the state Capitol alongside others fighting for change. I have watched formerly incarcerated people advocate for parole reform. I have stood beside labor unions fighting for workers. I have seen parents advocate for their children, environmental groups fight for their communities, disability rights advocates fight for accessibility, and young people demand a future they can believe in.
Like many New Yorkers, I believed that if you organized, educated, testified, built support and convinced enough lawmakers, your bill would rise or fall through a transparent public process.
Then I learned about the Senate’s internal “working group.” …