Protect public's right to access government records

Government transparency and public accountability are fundamental principles of a democratic society. The people have a right to access information about the decisions and activities of their elected officials and government entities. Efforts to restrict or limit access to public records are concerning, as they can erode trust and enable corruption or abuse of power to go unchecked. Proposed changes that would make it more difficult for citizens to obtain public records are counterproductive and undermine the principles of open government. Rather than broadly limiting access, a more targeted approach should be taken to protect specific categories of sensitive information, such as personal data or information related to ongoing investigations. However, any exemptions must be narrowly defined and justified by a compelling public interest. Transparency fosters public trust, encourages civic engagement, and allows for informed decision-making by citizens. It is crucial that government records remain accessible to promote accountability and ensure that the actions of public officials are subject to scrutiny. Efforts to increase secrecy and obfuscate information from the public are deeply concerning and should be reconsidered in favor of policies that uphold the principles of open government and democratic accountability.