Comments on: Are Secret Funding Letters Open Records? http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2008/01/18/are-secret-funding-letters-open-records/ A Movement to Lift the Lid on Pennsylvania Government Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:26:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Gary Dovey http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2008/01/18/are-secret-funding-letters-open-records/#comment-1664 Gary Dovey Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:42:49 +0000 http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2008/01/18/are-secret-funding-letters-open-records/#comment-1664 The records or letters on any use of state funds should be considered a open record. However, here comes the catch 22; whereas, let us say they allow such records to be open to the public, how will one be able to find it or know what to look for. The Legislators plans are to form a NEW DEPT, central open records office which will determine what is open/not open according to law. Of course what will occur is the law will have open gray areas, as to, allowing the latter dept to either say yea/nay. The real issue here is the legislators are determining what we can/can't see; whereas, it will be in their best interest not to show & tell all. Maybe a better way, is to constitutionalize the law with specifics as to what must be a open public record. The latter would make current/future legislators think twice before trying to fund a project for family members, friends, or special party groups, and would probably eliminate patronage programs like the PTC. The records or letters on any use of state funds should be considered a open record. However, here comes the catch 22; whereas, let us say they allow such records to be open to the public, how will one be able to find it or know what to look for. The Legislators plans are to form a NEW DEPT, central open records office which will determine what is open/not open according to law. Of course what will occur is the law will have open gray areas, as to, allowing the latter dept to either say yea/nay. The real issue here is the legislators are determining what we can/can’t see; whereas, it will be in their best interest not to show & tell all. Maybe a better way, is to constitutionalize the law with specifics as to what must be a open public record. The latter would make current/future legislators think twice before trying to fund a project for family members, friends, or special party groups, and would probably eliminate patronage programs like the PTC.

]]> By: PolicyBlog http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2008/01/18/are-secret-funding-letters-open-records/#comment-1653 PolicyBlog Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:52:57 +0000 http://PassOpenRecords.Org/2008/01/18/are-secret-funding-letters-open-records/#comment-1653 <strong>Are Secret Funding Letters Open Records?...</strong> PassOpenRecords.org asks if letters from Governor Rendell promising state funds to a variety of projects would be considered open records. They are looking for readers to comment on that question.... Are Secret Funding Letters Open Records?…

PassOpenRecords.org asks if letters from Governor Rendell promising state funds to a variety of projects would be considered open records. They are looking for readers to comment on that question….

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