Our public officials were elected by us. We chose them to represent and serve us. How can we keep them honest if we're no longer allowed to see their records? What does our government have to hide?
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
GRAMA law crippled
GRAMA is the Freedom of Information law specific to Utah, and Governor Herbert just signed a bill that will cripple it! The new law excludes all electronic documents and communications between the public officials we elected into office from being subject to a GRAMA request. The bill whipped through the House and Senate and landed on the governor's desk. The only reason he hesitated to sign it was because journalists everywhere were furious and started an uproar against it. Now, "despite petitions, rallies, letters, phone calls, social media campaigns, media editorials and personal outreach asking him not to do it," Herbert has signed it anyway.
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Look into the NPR marketing scheme and that may shed a little light on the legislature's hesitant attitude. Personal e-mails and texts are usually brainstorming and eventually that comes out later in debate. It is the closed door meetings that need looked into if the outcome of them is lack o0f candor and honest debate on real issues.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what you're saying here. GRAMA only covers official government communication, NOT personal emails or phones.
ReplyDelete"Emails" as in "email addresses"
ReplyDelete