PA Office of Open Records is OPEN

[rev214]

http://openrecords.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?

A Message from the Executive Director
Ensuring open and honest government is a bedrock principle of democracy. It can only be attained through the unfettered exchange of information between citizens and their government. A citizen’s right-to-know, sometimes known as freedom of information, fosters accountability, prevents abuses of power and promotes trust in government. Pennsylvania has codified this important right to access government records in Act 3 of 2008, called the Right-to-Know law.

Governor Edward G. Rendell signed the new Right-To-Know law on February 14, 2008 fundamentally changing the way people access public records of their government. The hallmark of this new law, which fully takes effect January 1, 2009, is its presumption of openness. For the first time in Pennsylvania history, citizens no longer have to prove that a record is public and that it should be released. Now, a government agency must presume that a record is a public record available for inspection or copying. If the government agency chooses to withhold a record, the agency has the burden to prove – with legal citation – why that record should not be available to the public.

The law, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, also established an Office of Open Records. The mission of the Office of Open Records is to enforce the new Right-to-Know law and to serve as a resource to citizens, public officials and members of the media. It is my great privilege to serve as the Commonwealth’s first Executive Director of this independent office. You have my pledge that in this six-year term, I will work tirelessly to ensure compliance with the law and to help citizens, government officials and members of the media better understand their rights and obligations.

I encourage you to look through our website where you will find regularly updated information about the law and a schedule of on-going trainings regarding this new law. I will always welcome your questions, comments and suggestions to improve access to government because I believe that this government does not belong to me, or to any other public official, but rather this government belongs to you.

Terry Mutchler

[Mike]

We need to use this law - a lot.

[ar15jules]

Originally Posted by Mike

We need to use this law - a lot.

What info is beneficial?
Jules

[Pa. Patriot]

I will be testing this soon

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by ar15jules

What info is beneficial?
Jules

Have you not followed any incident or preemption or other "issue" threads?

[jpavoncello]

I like the law, makes my job easier. Just don't understand why Sweaty Eddie needed to create a special office with an Ex. Director and staff that we as taxpayers have to now fund.

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by jpavoncello

I like the law, makes my job easier. Just don't understand why Sweaty Eddie needed to create a special office with an Ex. Director and staff that we as taxpayers have to now fund.

In my mind it is a good thing because a lot of jurisdictions were ignoring the requests and forcing the common citizen to take legal action for failure to comply.

[Swarner793]

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

In my mind it is a good thing because a lot of jurisdictions were ignoring the requests and forcing the common citizen to take legal action for failure to comply.

These words are wise!! This is a guvmint office we can all love!!!

Be safe (and advised).

Scott

[Dredly]

that mean we can now get the records of why we are refused PICS purchases or what firearms are "on record" as being sold to us?

[ar15jules]

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

Have you not followed any incident or preemption or other "issue" threads?

I don't usually follow them.
Jules