Open records bill waits for a day in Pa. Senate
Jan. 29, 2008
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Senate made several technical changes to a rewrite of Pennsylvania's open records law, delaying the chamber's plans to vote on it until Wednesday.
Senators are making changes to a House version that passed six weeks ago. While the chambers have disagreed over numerous aspects of the legislation, House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene, has said he believes a final agreement is possible this week.
A House Republican spokesman said the Senate's version still raises concerns over protection of privacy.
The bill is designed to subject more records to public review, as legislative leaders work to overhaul Pennsylvania's 50-year-old Right-to-Know Law, widely regarded as one of the nation's weakest freedom-of-information laws.
The bill also would give citizens a better chance in court when challenging a government rejection of a records request.
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