Very exciting news, everyone.
Gov. Ed Rendell ended Pennsylvania’s distinction of having one of the nation’s weakest open-records laws Thursday by signing into law a bill that will open a broader array of government documents to public inspection and remove some opportunities for officials to reject requests for records.The measure makes sweeping changes to the state’s Right-to-Know Law, which was enacted in 1957. It took lawmakers 13 months to agree on a version to send to the governor as they argued over how much information to conceal from people.
‘‘Is it a perfect bill? No. Is it a good bill? Absolutely. Is it a step on the road to reform? Without a doubt,’‘ said Rendell, who signed the bill at a Capitol news conference, surrounded by Democratic and Republican legislators.
The new law, which takes effect in January, will force agencies to provide all records beyond a list of exceptions, rather than the old law’s narrow list of public records available.
Let’s hope it doesn’t
Let’s hope it doesn’t take another 50 years to improve this law….but don’t hold your breath.
Pilt
Right to know what?
What do we have the right to know? That this will not work nless enforced.
If you always had the right to know but it did not work or was utilized the way the legislation was inteneded, then who gives a crap what he signs???
I’m with Pilt…not holding the breath here
Carla J
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