Open Records Law

A happy reader!

It is not often that I read the newspaper anymore when I find something that provides me with some real hope that we can reform our state government, and that makes me so proud to be a citizen of this country. Phil Brinkman’s piece on our State’s open records law which demands transparency throughout state government was just the tonic I needed.

It was unfortunate however that in trying to hook the readers’ attention he saw fit to pretend to malign how this law was being implemented. His opening paragraph implied that compliance to this law was also serving to break another law ---mainly that state officials when responding to open records requests from challengers and the media were illegally doing it at the taxpayers’ expense. I quote, “…public employees are still openly engaging in campaign work on state time and with state resources.” How flagrantly unfair and misleading can a reporter be? Shame on Mr. Brinkman!

To respond and perform responsibly to the letter and spirit of this fine and milestone law is not and should not be construed otherwise. When government practices are being scrutinized by both independent and partisan citizens, there can be no better safeguards to our democratic system. In fact it was reassuring to learn that this law was being obeyed to the letter and spirit of the law by our public servants, including not allowing efforts to abuse this law. Finally, this reader can’t believe that our open record law allows state officials to release public records to a person without requiring them to identify themselves, as Mr. Brinkman’s piece states.

Respectfully,

William R. Benedict