Public wins one in
state Legislature

The state has finally passed the Open Public Records Act which will give the public greater access to public records.

The act overhauls New Jer-sey’s "Right to Know" law and represents a victory for the New Jersey Press Association and other groups that have been pushing for expanded and easier access to government records and information for many years.

Under the old law, only records that were required by law to be kept were open for public inspection. In some instances this narrow law forced residents to hire a lawyer and go to court to gain further access.

The overhaul will make all municipal and county government records public, including internal memos, policy drafts and countless other documents, according to the New Jersey Press Association, unless they are specifically excluded by executive order or by legislative resolution.

The bill signed by former Acting Gov. Donald T. DiFran-cesco exempts the state Legislature from some of the open records regulations.

An effort is under way to throw out that exemption, and properly so. It’s ludicrous for state lawmakers to open everyone else’s records except their own.

For anyone who has ever been stonewalled while trying to get access to public information at the local and county levels, this is a true victory.

Public officials and others who knowingly violate the new law will be subject to penalties of up to $5,000.

In a compromise, current law that seals criminal investigation files and individual files kept by victims’ rights agencies will remain in effect.

As part of the agreement, a 13-member Privacy Study Commis-sion will study privacy issues and make recommendations to the Legislature within 18 months. Also, a Government Records Council will be created within the state Department of Community Affairs to mediate disputes regarding access to government records.

All too often, government employees and elected officials have turned away residents seeking the most basic information, leading them to believe erroneously that many public records were supposed to be "top secret."

The passage of this landmark legislation is a victory for everyone — especially John Q. Public.

Hopefully, it will get the public more involved in government affairs.