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New Jersey Democrat Legislature Set to Vote on Bill Threatening Public Records Access

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, In a move stirring controversy and concern, the New Jersey Legislature is poised to vote on a bill that could severely restrict access to public records. The proposed legislation, which cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Friday afternoon, is scheduled for a vote in both chambers on Monday, sparking outcry from advocates and citizens alike.

The journey of this contentious bill has been marked by twists and turns. After advancing through the state Senate Budget Committee on Thursday, despite vocal opposition during a marathon hearing, it now faces a pivotal moment in its legislative journey.

One of the most alarming developments came with the unveiling of draft amendments late Friday afternoon, raising eyebrows and eliciting criticism from transparency advocates. Notably, the amendments diverged significantly from the version presented during the Senate committee hearing, prompting concerns about transparency and the legislative process.

Of particular concern is the removal of the presumption of access clause at the outset of the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, a move that has been met with staunch opposition. This alteration, coupled with a revised cost estimate of $10 million, represents a substantial departure from the bill’s original intent and has sparked accusations of hostility towards transparency.

The recent hearing before the Assembly Appropriations Committee mirrored the contentious atmosphere of its Senate counterpart, with advocates voicing their objections and calling for meaningful dialogue and amendment. Despite these impassioned pleas, concerns remain largely unaddressed, leaving many disillusioned with the legislative process.

Evelyn Murphy, president of the League of Women Voters for Monmouth County, lamented the bill’s shortcomings, noting that while language may have changed, core issues remain unaddressed. Similarly, Marleina Ubel of the New Jersey Policy Perspective criticized the amendments for failing to rectify fundamental flaws, warning of the potential consequences for public access to information.

As the vote approaches, the implications of this bill loom large, with New Jersey’s already tenuous reputation for public access laws hanging in the balance. With transparency at stake, citizens and advocates alike await the outcome of Monday’s vote, hoping for a resolution that upholds the principles of openness and accountability in governance.

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3 thoughts on “New Jersey Democrat Legislature Set to Vote on Bill Threatening Public Records Access

  1. WHY do you need to know what’s going on????

    YOU are ONLY a taxpayer.

    Your job is to SHUT UP and PAY.

  2. We need to worry about the Americans first take care of them and then you worry about other people other countries. Do you think all the countries give two shits about us?

  3. Looks like a done deal.

    Not to worry, the supply of low information voters will not betray them.

    Who needs to waste time knowing what’s going on when there is ample intellectual content on TV and smartphones?

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