Opinion: Don't dilute records law
October 02, 2010 Right to Know Law
OPINION
Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial
Legislators in Harrisburg should stop an attempt to weaken the state's new right-to-know law.
The Senate passed a bill unanimously last week that would water down several provisions of the two-year-old law, which granted greater public access to government records.
The latest measure, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Chester), would restrict the records available from government contractors, charge members of the public just to view a public record, and prevent the public from viewing delinquencies of water and sewer authorities.
A measure pending in the House is worse. It would ban public access to two very basic pieces of information - dates of birth and home addresses. This information is crucial in enabling media organizations and others to distinguish between people with the same name. And it's critical in identifying accurately the subject of an official record.
Some legislators say they're concerned about the possibility of identity theft. That issue was debated fully when the new law was approved, unlike this time around. If the current right-to-know law has created specific problems, let's air them.
Pileggi generally has been on the side of better access to public records, and the Senate bill does contain some improvements to the current law. For example, it would improve access to draft documents that are being considered at public meetings.
Terry Mutchler, executive director of the state's Office of Open Records and a former journalist, has been working with Pileggi and other legislators to fine-tune the new law. The Senate bill also would allow the open-records office to gain standing in court cases, an important option it currently lacks.
Overall, however, other provisions in these bills would weaken a law that has improved transparency at all levels of government in Pennsylvania.
More fine-tuning of this legislation is needed before the General Assembly gives its final approval.
Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial
Legislators in Harrisburg should stop an attempt to weaken the state's new right-to-know law.
The Senate passed a bill unanimously last week that would water down several provisions of the two-year-old law, which granted greater public access to government records.
The latest measure, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Chester), would restrict the records available from government contractors, charge members of the public just to view a public record, and prevent the public from viewing delinquencies of water and sewer authorities.
A measure pending in the House is worse. It would ban public access to two very basic pieces of information - dates of birth and home addresses. This information is crucial in enabling media organizations and others to distinguish between people with the same name. And it's critical in identifying accurately the subject of an official record.
Some legislators say they're concerned about the possibility of identity theft. That issue was debated fully when the new law was approved, unlike this time around. If the current right-to-know law has created specific problems, let's air them.
Pileggi generally has been on the side of better access to public records, and the Senate bill does contain some improvements to the current law. For example, it would improve access to draft documents that are being considered at public meetings.
Terry Mutchler, executive director of the state's Office of Open Records and a former journalist, has been working with Pileggi and other legislators to fine-tune the new law. The Senate bill also would allow the open-records office to gain standing in court cases, an important option it currently lacks.
Overall, however, other provisions in these bills would weaken a law that has improved transparency at all levels of government in Pennsylvania.
More fine-tuning of this legislation is needed before the General Assembly gives its final approval.
