In her Jan. 28 column ("A Legislature, behind closed doors?"), Star Tribune Editor Nancy Barnes criticized Republicans and DFLers in the Legislature for coming together for a day's private, candid conversations and information sessions with national and state experts. Barnes misses the mark. Although she advocated for good government, the effect of her article might be the end of a unique safe space for civil dialogue about Minnesota's common good.

For six years, I have hosted DFLers and Republicans from both the House and the Senate at the University of Minnesota for a day in order to review the economic, budgetary and demographic challenges facing Minnesota and to discuss the ways in which other states are responding to similar challenges. At a time of hyperpartisanship, I have been enormously impressed with the genuine bipartisan effort to discuss real issues without fear of retribution from lobbyists or vengeful partisans. Tellingly, the theme of the legislative conference is "One Minnesota. Our State. Our Future." No other state boasts a regular event of its kind.

The Legislature's careful and limited use of private meetings to create safe space and the need for "sunshine" are not irreconcilable. We must have both. Sunshine should be the general rule but occasional respites are essential to building civility and trust among members who rarely get to know one another.

While Barnes suggested that a similar event would not pass muster at the national level, the U.S. Congress and many of its legislators use private forums to foster candor and to search for the public good. And, the bill is picked up by foundations, not taxpayers.

I applaud the Legislature's bipartisan spirit and look forward to next year's "One Minnesota" conference.

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Lawrence R. Jacobs is director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.