passopenrecords.org

With all the necessary focus on the state’s budget negotiations, open records discussions in the Capitol have pretty much faded from view. This is entirely understandable, but it also requires vigilance on our parts that a new, improved Right-to-Know law not get swept into the dustbin of good ideas and nice tries. Let’s face it, if there had existed a strong commitment to open and transparent government in Harrisburg, we would not have been living for 50 years with the law we have. While the budget right now is the most important item on the legislature’s agenda, that does not mean it should provide the cover to bury other critical issues. We have to have a budget. We also have to have an open government. Right now, we really don’t have either.

That’s one reason it was heartening to read Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fayette)’s post on this blog a few days ago – in the heat of the budget debates – in which he wrote: “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.”

It’s critical that those of us who care keep our own focus when others are anxious to look away . . . that we keep our eye on the ball and their feet to the fire.