DOVER, Del. (AP) - As Delaware lawmakers try to hammer out a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, much of the work is still being done in secret.
Republican and Democrat leaders of the House and Senate continue to negotiate behind closed doors after the Democratic House speaker and Senate president directed the budget-writing committee to halt its work last month amid public outcry about cuts the panel had approved.
Meanwhile, the budget committee and legislature's controller general are refusing to release documents outlining further potential cuts.
In denying a FOIA request by The Associated Press, an attorney cited "legislative privilege."
He also pointed to a provision in Delaware's constitution under which lawmakers are immune from arrest while attending session, and cannot be questioned elsewhere about their speech or debate in the legislature.
