State Representative Don Walko Reports:

Walko votes for sweeping open-records reform

Recently, a new open records law was passed in the legislature and signed by Gov. Rendell, ensuring that state and local government records will now be more open to the public than ever before. I am proud to have supported this legislation.

The previous open records law dated back 50 years, and it was apparent that change was needed.

We made four major changes to the state’s Right-to-Know Law:

•           The presumption of openness is flipped for government documents. The government now has to prove why a document should not be available to the public.

•           For the first time, the Pennsylvania legislature will be included in the law.

•           The law specifies that financial accountability applies to all three branches of government. The public will know how tax dollars are being spent.

•           A state Office of Open Records will be created to assist residents seeking public records and create a uniform appeals process for people who are denied access to records.

At the same time, the new law still protects people's personal identifying information from public access, such as their Social Security numbers and personal financial information. Residents' private correspondence with legislators also is still protected. 

This action on open records shows what can be accomplished when we work together on important issues. I hope that the Republican-controlled Senate will join the House in similar cooperation as we proceed this year on health care, energy independence and the state budget.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will be extensively involved in developing the state budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

If you have questions on a state-related issue or subject, please call my office at 412-321-5523.