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records laws
need overhaul
Members of the General Assembly are currently taking training on new ethics laws, laws that legislators passed last session in hopes of reforming state government.
If solons really want to improve government, however, they should look this session to do a complete overhaul of the state’s Open Meetings Law and Public Records Law, which impact local government.
These laws are well-intentioned and provide guidelines for open, honest government, but they are regularly abused.
When local governments choose to do business behind closed doors at the exclusion of the public, the law doesn’t have much in the way of teeth.
That’s why local government boards like city councils or county commissions that do the public’s business in the shadows can get away with withholding public documents like appraisals, personnel policy manuals and employees’ salaries.
That’s why many controversial topics fall under exceptions to the law that allow for secret sessions on “personnel” or “attorney-client privilege.”
It’s appropriate that the General Assembly clean its own house first, but during this session, it’s time that legislators look to help citizens gain better access to their local governments.
Columbus County is the perfect example why this is needed.