Comments on: Legislators Speak Up for Open Records http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2007/06/15/legislators-are-speaking-up-for-open-records/ A Movement to Lift the Lid on Pennsylvania Government Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:32:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Larry Roberts http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2007/06/15/legislators-are-speaking-up-for-open-records/#comment-738 Larry Roberts Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:19:53 +0000 http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2007/06/15/legislators-are-speaking-up-for-open-records/#comment-738 The Open Records Bill that came out of committee is a real joke. However, everything that the Committee failed to do can be easily rectified by amendments from the House floor. Let's see who does what! The Open Records Bill that came out of committee is a real joke.

However, everything that the Committee failed to do can be easily rectified by amendments from the House floor.

Let’s see who does what!

]]> By: David L. Peters http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2007/06/15/legislators-are-speaking-up-for-open-records/#comment-179 David L. Peters Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:27:03 +0000 http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2007/06/15/legislators-are-speaking-up-for-open-records/#comment-179 Mr. Mahoney is spot-on in his use of two operative words in reference to the open records issue. Those words are trust and transparency. In the framework of a representative Republic, of which our own Commonwealth is a charter member in the Original Thirteen, the declarative action of electing a person to a high position of trust to give voice and expression of the will the electorate demands transparency. While transparency does not guarantee honesty, it goes a long way toward assuance of accountability. An amazing power dynamic in Pennsylvania politics for multiple generations is that representatives who have been entrusted to convey the interest of their constituency quickly slide behind a veil of obscurity as soon as they arrive on the banks of the Susquehanna. Representative Mahoney, much to his credit, zealously seeks to change this power dynamic. To effect this much needed change and move toward a true accountabilty in the pursuit of the peoples' business, Mr. Mahoney will need enormous resolve and strong powers of persuasion. Pennsylvania politics has demonstrated decade after decade that it is monolithic, slow to change and figuratively winks at transparency. This intransigence is exceedingly expensive for all people of the Commonwealth. As a constituent of Mr. Mahoney, he has my vote and support and trust in his advocacy and pursuit of true transparency. Mr. Mahoney is spot-on in his use of two operative words in reference to the open records issue. Those words are trust
and transparency.
In the framework of a representative Republic, of which our own Commonwealth is a charter member in the Original Thirteen, the declarative action of electing a person to a high position of trust to give voice and expression of the will the electorate demands transparency.
While transparency does not guarantee honesty, it goes a long way toward assuance of accountability.
An amazing power dynamic in Pennsylvania politics for multiple generations is that representatives who have been entrusted to convey the interest of their constituency quickly slide behind a veil of obscurity as soon as they arrive on the banks of the Susquehanna.
Representative Mahoney, much to his credit, zealously seeks to change this power dynamic. To effect this much needed change and move toward a true accountabilty in the pursuit of the peoples’ business, Mr. Mahoney will need enormous resolve and strong powers of persuasion.
Pennsylvania politics has demonstrated decade after decade that it is monolithic, slow to change and figuratively winks at transparency. This intransigence is exceedingly expensive for all people of the Commonwealth.
As a constituent of Mr. Mahoney, he has my vote and support and trust in his advocacy and pursuit of true transparency.

]]> By: Tim Mahoney http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2007/06/15/legislators-are-speaking-up-for-open-records/#comment-45 Tim Mahoney Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:32:24 +0000 http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2007/06/15/legislators-are-speaking-up-for-open-records/#comment-45 As a freshman member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, I knew there were many important issues in this session of the General Assembly. The one issue that I felt was paramount in restoring the trust of the people of this great commonwealth was an Open Records/Right to Know Law that provided transparency to state government. I am proud to have been one of the first to stand up and say enough is enough and the people have a right to know. That is why I have introduced HB 443 and I am proud to say that many of my colleagues have jumped aboard in supporting this legislation. I have served for only seven months and I have enjoyed serving the constituents of my district and the people across Pennsylvania. The one commitment that I will make is to truly serve the needs of the people and leave the politics of Harrisburg locked in closet forever collecting the dust it deserves. I ask you to call the Governor, your Senator and Representative and urge them to restore trust back in state government by passing HB 443. Please feel free to contact my Harrisburg office to further discuss support of HB 443. Rep. Tim Mahoney PA State House 51 District As a freshman member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, I knew there were many important issues in this session of the General Assembly. The one issue that I felt was paramount in restoring the trust of the people of this great commonwealth was an Open Records/Right to Know Law that provided transparency to state government. I am proud to have been one of the first to stand up and say enough is enough and the people have a right to know. That is why I have introduced HB 443 and I am proud to say that many of my colleagues have jumped aboard in supporting this legislation. I have served for only seven months and I have enjoyed serving the constituents of my district and the people across Pennsylvania. The one commitment that I will make is to truly serve the needs of the people and leave the politics of Harrisburg locked in closet forever collecting the dust it deserves. I ask you to call the Governor, your Senator and Representative and urge them to restore trust back in state government by passing HB 443. Please feel free to contact my Harrisburg office to further discuss support of HB 443.

Rep. Tim Mahoney
PA State House
51 District

]]> By: Larry Roberts http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2007/06/15/legislators-are-speaking-up-for-open-records/#comment-36 Larry Roberts Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:27:47 +0000 http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2007/06/15/legislators-are-speaking-up-for-open-records/#comment-36 This is a great blog. I am a former Representative who also favors changing the Open Records Law. In fact, I sponsored several bills that would have made much needed changes. Being unable to change the law and after getting a tremendous amount of criticism from my local media, I posted all my monthly expenses on line on my web site. Unfortunately, my actions got very little attention. Legislators get a monthly report of expenses and balances in their accounts and this is the report I posted on line. I suggest that others who are in favor of Open Records post their expense reports on their web sites too. This can be done voluntarily without changing any law. This is a great blog.

I am a former Representative who also favors changing the Open Records Law. In fact, I sponsored several bills that would have made much needed changes.

Being unable to change the law and after getting a tremendous amount of criticism from my local media, I posted all my monthly expenses on line on my web site. Unfortunately, my actions got very little attention.

Legislators get a monthly report of expenses and balances in their accounts and this is the report I posted on line. I suggest that others who are in favor of Open Records post their expense reports on their web sites too. This can be done voluntarily without changing any law.

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