OK, but tell us what you really think
Oct 22nd, 2007 by JamieB
“On Wednesday night, the Open Records bill (HB 443) became the victim of a gut-and-run maneuver. Using a fast-track process, the committee eliminated many of the bill’s most important protections. This was a classic case of how a bad governing process creates bad laws.” Barry Kaufman, executive director, Common Cause of Pennsylvania.
“If the point is to improve access, then access should be improved.” Teri Henning. general counsel, Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.
“The Legislature has been saying all the right things about revising open records laws . . . . But action this week in the House State Government Committee makes us believe it’s all a smokescreen. The committee approved a reworked draft of a bill so watered down with exclusions that it does what we thought was impossible: It makes the existing law look good.” Harrisburg Patriot-News.
“If we reduce the sales tax, we don’t go back and give people a refund.” Tom Andrews, spokesman for House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene (explaining the inclusion of the provision to keep all prior records closed).
“We’ll call this the cover-up provision.” Tim Potts, co-founder, Democracy Rising PA(discussing the same provision).
“We believe it represents a step backward,.” Deborah Musselman, director of government affairs, PNA.
“Our vote does not reflect on the contents on the bill. Our vote is on the horrific process. We didn’t support this being rammed down our throats.” Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery).
“This is a highly inappropriate way to move any legislation, let alone an open records bill.” Barry Kauffman, Common Cause.
“So much for the reform process.” Doug Hill, executive director, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (which opposes the bill in its current form).
“If this is reform, we don’t want it.” Tim Williams. president, PNA.