A bill expected to generate a lot of debate in the final weeks of the regular session is a measure that seeks to restrict what kind of information can be released under the state’s public records law. Governor Jeff Landry is seeking to keep out of public view many emails or documents that result in public policy being formed.
“If I can’t even talk to someone, if I can’t send an email, knowing that my ideas and the conversations that I have with that official have some degree of confidence because it’s not the final product and that’s what we are talking about,” Landry said.
During an appearance on the Moon Griffon Show, Landry says left-wing organizations use the state’s public records law to stifle deliberative speech. He says the left is abusing the public records law by making numerous public records requests, slowing down the policymaking process.
“It also chills those discussions between our constituents and those organizations to discuss issues privately,” Landry said.
Landry says he wants to be fully transparent on how the state spends its money. But some of the initial communications between himself and constituents and staff should remain private.
Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud is the author of the legislation that attempts to change the state’s public records law.
“When governments are trying to figure things out, their memos, their drafts, their opinions, forcing them to put it out prematurely is going to mislead the public,” Landry said.
The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana strongly opposes Senate Bill 482. They say the legislation takes a hatchet to the state’s public records law further, damages trust in government, and undermines the checks and balances of democracy.
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