Terry Mutchler, executive director of the state's first open records office, wrote a commentary that's on the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition's Web site.
She says Pennsylvania is among few states that have an open records office with binding decision-making power, and urges other states to create the same type of office.
"Binding authority by an independent arbiter is the key to a vault of previously hidden records. Without binding authority, the deck is stacked against citizens," Mutchler writes.
"Public bodies bank on the fact that a citizen will not go to court to force the release of records, and by default the status quo of "closedness" remains. Any person who can read can justify virtually any exemption under the law. What government officials can't sidestep as easily is an independent arbiter with power to force release of public records."
Check out her entire commentary. It's a good read.
She says Pennsylvania is among few states that have an open records office with binding decision-making power, and urges other states to create the same type of office.
"Binding authority by an independent arbiter is the key to a vault of previously hidden records. Without binding authority, the deck is stacked against citizens," Mutchler writes.
"Public bodies bank on the fact that a citizen will not go to court to force the release of records, and by default the status quo of "closedness" remains. Any person who can read can justify virtually any exemption under the law. What government officials can't sidestep as easily is an independent arbiter with power to force release of public records."
Check out her entire commentary. It's a good read.
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