Let the sun shine

July 3, 2009 12:36 am

THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL runs through Virginia, but our gover- nor hasn't been going on hikes. And though planes fly from here to Argentina, Gov. Tim Kaine (fortunately) hasn't been flying those friendly skies. So our problems aren't as intriguing as Some Other State's, but still, it would be nice to know where the commonwealth's chief executive is half the time.

Since accepting the role of chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Mr. Kaine has been seen at fundraising and political events far and wide. When state Republicans, who grew curious about how much time Mr. Kaine was spending away from the state's business, asked to see his travel records, their requests were denied. So were Freedom of Information Act requests from reporters for The Washington Post. Why the secrecy?

No one is alleging the hardworking governor is doing anything wrong. But the people of Virginia have a right to know how much time he's spending on state business, when he's out of town, and who is paying--not only for his travel, but for his security detail.

Mr. Kaine's failure to be transparent about his work as the Democrats' chief cheerleader is a blotch. We're happy there's no Argentinian surprise, but a little more sunshine would be nice, too.