KASUNIC OPENS DISCUSSION ON OPEN RECORDS

UNIONTOWN, October 11 — State Sen. Richard Kasunic today was joined by members of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee at a public hearing in Uniontown on the state’s “Right to Know Law.”

            The committee heard testimony on open records reform from other state legislators, the County Commissioners Association of PA, the PA Newspaper Association, and local newspaper editors.

            “Our current open records law is inadequate and change needs to be brought forth,” Kasunic said.  “It is well known that open government serves the people that elect us best.”

            The two bills discussed at the hearing, Senate Bill 765 and House Bill 443, would both amend the Right to Know Law to make the state and public records more open and accessible.

            State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh) provided testimony at the hearing regarding his bill, Senate Bill 765, and stressed the importance of amending the open records law.

            “Meaningful reform on open records is necessary and the time is now,” Ferlo said.  “Providing access to public records is one of the fundamental duties of public officials.”

            Teri Henning, General Counsel from the PA Newspaper Association, said that most states across the country provide much better and much easier access to records than Pennsylvania currently does.

            The open records proposals discussed included creating a state agency to help people gain access to public records, changing the burden of proof so that the agency must prove the requested information is not public under the law, and imposing meaningful penalties.

            “There are going to be open records laws passed in Pennsylvania,” state Sen. John Wozniak (D-Johnstown) said.  “The records need to be more available so that the public is more informed about what is going on in state government.”

            All of the state Senators in attendance agreed that an amendment to Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law is needed.

            “I have always and will always support open records,” state Sen. Gerald LaValle said.  “The General Assembly needs to take the best out of each of the proposals and come up with the best piece of legislation for the public.”

            “I am happy to support a strong open records law for the citizens of Pennsylvania,” State Sen. Wayne Fontana said.  “The hearing today was very informative for us and it will help us pattern the best law for the citizens.”

State Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fayette) also provided testimony concerning House Bill 443, which he is confident will be considered by the full House this fall.

            State Sen. Jay Costa added, “Hearing testimony from different associations and their concerns is very beneficial for us as we move forward on this important issue.”

            “We need to restore the trust of the public in the state legislature,” Kasunic said.  “Open records reform is a priority of Senate Democrats and it is imperative that we move a bill to the Governor’s desk this fall.”