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LETTER TO THE EDITOR |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Tim Mahoney |
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To: Editorial/Opinion Page Editor
From: State Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Fayette
Subject: Pennsylvania House of Representatives moving forward on open records bill
Mahoney: House making significant progress on open records bill
I remain a staunch, determined advocate of bringing a fresh, open approach to government in Pennsylvania.
I firmly believe a government works best when all its citizens are fully informed about its operations and procedures – at every level and in every branch.
The open records legislation (H.B. 2072) that was voted out of the House State Government committee this week is a direct result of my determination to get meaningful open-records improvements enacted here in Pennsylvania.
My open records legislation would make it easier for state residents to access information on government finances, decisions and policies, and it would apply the Open Records law equally among all three branches of government – executive agencies, the legislature and the judiciary.
A corresponding Senate bill (S.B. 1) offers a similar but, in my opinion, less-effective approach to open records since it excludes more information from public access. Simply put, not all of the branches of government are treated equally in the Senate bill.
Why is open records legislation needed? Several government watch-dog groups, most notably Common Cause, have rated Pennsylvania as having one of the most restrictive and ineffective Right-to-Know laws in the country.
Pennsylvania residents should not be hindered by restrictions that make it difficult for them to access the information about their state and local government that they need and deserve.
I call on all Pennsylvanians to encourage their legislators to support H.B. 2072, and let’s move Pennsylvania forward.
Tim Mahoney
51St Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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CONTACT:
Roseann R. Cadau |