Politics & Government

Should Public Records Act Be Gutted?

—Written by Katherine Hafner

A push by Gov. Jerry Brown and California lawmakers to limit parts of the state’s public records law commanded controversy from various media outlets and organizations this week, prompting the state Legislature to reverse the move.

Under the California Public Records Act, all state public records are open to copying and inspection by the public upon request.

In a bill passed by the Legislature last week, parts of the act were eliminated to cut down on costs associated with complying with the act, officials said.

The changes would have made compliance with the law optional for some agencies, lowering the cost the government has to pay to reimburse those agencies.

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According to a report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, a nonpartisan organization that provides fiscal advice to the state, the costs of compliance could reach “tens of millions of dollars” annually.

Brown was slated to sign the bill after it passed the Legislature as part of the state’s budget proposal, but changed course amid public outrage.

“We all agree that Californians have a right to know and should continue to have prompt access to public records and I support enshrining these protections in California's constitution,” Brown said in a statement released Wednesday.

The state Assembly reversed its decision on Thursday, voting to undo the changes.

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Media outlets and others across California initially expressed anger toward Sacramento, claiming the bill threatens journalists’ as well as citizens’ rights to public information.

But they showed relief and appreciation when the state Assembly changed course on Thursday.

“This is a great day for the Legislature to establish its commitment to transparent government," Jim Ewert, legal counsel for the California Newspaper Publishers Association, told the Sacramento Bee.

A new budget bill – exactly the same as the previous except without the public records changes – is now circulating in the Legislature. It passed the Assembly this week and is expected to pass the Senate and be signed by Brown next week.

Tell us in the comments section below:

  • How do you feel about California’s public records laws?
  • Do you think Brown and lawmakers made the right choice to reverse their initial decision?


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