HARRISBURG, FEB. 12, 2008: State Sen. Mike Stack today applauded the Senate’s unanimous passage of legislation that would give the public greater and more timely access to government records.

“This legislation makes a commitment to the people of Pennsylvania that this government will be more open and accessible,” Stack said. “After much debate and consideration, we have finally drafted a Right-to-Know law that is better for everyone.”

The “Right-to-Know” legislation (Senate Bill 1) creates new access to government records. It retains strong language that provides easier access to a wider range of government records and contracts.

The bill also gives citizens new appeal rights and imposes tougher penalties against officials that wrongly withhold public records.

Most records would be presumed to be open, accessible, available and reviewable under the legislation. It also clarifies the documents that remain confidential while specifying that other information is public.

The Senate unanimously approved the legislation on Jan. 30. After adding some clarifying technical amendments, the House of Representatives unanimously approved it on Feb. 6. With today’s Senate approval, the bill now moves to Gov. Ed Rendell’s desk.

This is the first substantive re-write of the state’s “Right-to-Know Law” in 50 years.

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