Democrats say it wasn’t a policy change, but they held their first closed-door party caucus in several years Tuesday amid the debate on raising fuel taxes.

With majority Republicans under fire for closed caucus meetings several years ago, Democrats decided to open their meetings. Typically, party caucuses are announced on the floor and Democrats in both the House and Senate welcome the public and reporters to attend. GOP meetings in both houses remain closed.

On Tuesday, Democrats asked for a recess just before the House was to vote on an amendment to increase the fuel tax by four cents a gallon. The 18 members entered a room just off the House floor and closed the door.

Upon a knock by a Statesman reporter, Rep. Phylis King, D-Boise, opened the door and was asked, “Is this caucus open?”

“No,” replied King, shutting the door. The meeting broke up within minutes and Democrats reaffirmed their opposition to fuel-tax increases this year.

Caucus Chairman Bill Killen, D-Boise, later said he was unaware of the request by the newspaper to observe the brief caucus. “I’m sorry you got locked out,” Killen told the reporter. “For what it’s worth, the vote was to stick to the caucus position.”

Just three of 18 Democrats supported the four-cent increase, which was defeated. Democrats have generally opposed fuel-tax increases because of the recession.

Killen said Democrats have not changed their policy to allow open caucus meetings.