Quotable Quotes
Feb 21st, 2008 by JamieB
A smattering of what some folks are saying in the wake of the new open records law.
“I just believe it brings us out of the Dark Ages. We are finally not a secret government. We’re not hiding anything. All the accounts are open.” Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Uniontown).
“We’re viewing the glass as a little more than half full. We’re still concerned about weak penalties.” . . . [But the law] “will certainly place us among the top half of states – maybe higher.” Barry Kauffman (executive director of Common Cause of Pennsylvania).
“[A] huge victory for openness and accountability in state government.” Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny).
“I want the public to understand the basics of the law, and I want those who provide information to gain a comfort level so they can provide it in the most efficient way possible.” Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster).
“Municipal government has always been straightforward.” Lester Houck (secretary-treasurer, Salisbury Township Board of Supervisors and of the county and state supervisors associations).
“The distinction that needs to be made with the new law is that the exemptions only outline what agencies may legally withhold. Agencies may use the ‘discretion’ provision if the public right to know outweighs other concerns and release of the information doesn’t violate any other laws or statutes.” Kim de Bourbon (executive director, Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition).
“There’ll be no appeals. We’re going to pay the bill and move on.” Rep. Bill Adolph (R-Delaware, board chair, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) on a Commonwealth Court ruling ordering PHEAA to pay almost $50,000 in attorney fees).
“They do not want independent oversight of their business, whether it’s by the ethics commission or by the citizens.” Tim Potts (co-founder, Democracy Rising Pennsylvania) on the Legislature’s self-regulation under the new law.
“What this proves is when House and Senate, Democrat and Republican, get together and put their heads together instead of banging their heads against one another, anything is possible. We hope this bodes well for other major pieces of legislation.” Sen. Mike O’Pake (D-Berks).
“You follow the money and you’ll come to the truth,” Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Uniontown).