Newark mayor urges Gov. Murphy to veto public record reform bill
The state Legislature passed a bill last week that opponents say weakens the Open Public Record Act.
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The mayor of Newark is calling on Gov. Phil Murphy to veto a bill that would make it harder for citizens to see government records.
The state Legislature passed a bill last week that opponents say weakens the Open Public Record Act. It would make it harder for citizens to request government emails, allow government agencies to sue people they think request too many records and would make it more costly for people to challenge denials.
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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka says it would be a mistake for the governor to sign the bill.
“We can’t join with people whose motivation is to undermine democracy and transparency,” Baraka told News 12 New Jersey. “The governor has an opportunity to make it right. He can figure it out…he can work with the Legislature and make something, craft something, that is not this.”
Murphy has not indicated if he intends to sign or veto the bill.
