Inside Harrisburg

by state Rep. Dan Frankel

Sweeping open-records reform is now law

            In early February, a new Pennsylvania 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.

With the previous open records law dating back 50 years, it was apparent that change was needed.

Four major changes were made to the state’s Right-to-Know Law:

· Previously, individuals or organizations were responsible for proving why government documents should be made available to the public. Under the new law, the government now has to be able to prove why a document should not be open to the public.

· For the first time, the Pennsylvania legislature is included in the law.

· The law specifies that financial accountability applies to all three branches of government. The public will be able to access information on how tax dollars are being spent.

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

At the same time, the new law still protects personal identifying information, such as Social Security numbers, birth dates and financial information from public access. Correspondence between constituents and legislators also still is protected.

This action on open records shows what can be accomplished when the full legislature works together on important issues. I hope that the 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.

            Constituents in the 23rd Legislative District with state-related concerns or questions may call Rep. Dan Frankel’s office at 412-422-1774, visit the office at 4225 Murray Ave., or send him e-mail through his Web site, www.pahouse.com/Frankel.

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