Preserving Transparency and Accountability: Protecting NC Public Records

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent budget provision proposed by Republican state lawmakers in North Carolina that would exempt themselves from public records laws. This provision, if enacted, would have detrimental consequences for transparency and accountability in our state's governance.

Public records laws are crucial for upholding the principles of an open and democratic society. They ensure that the actions and decisions made by our elected officials are accessible to the people they serve. However, this proposed provision would grant current and former state legislators the ability to keep legislative documents private, even after they leave office. This would effectively enable the General Assembly to conduct much of the public's work in secret, eroding the trust between citizens and their government.

North Carolina law currently recognizes that these records belong to the people and mandates that they be made available either for free or at minimal cost. By exempting themselves from this requirement, lawmakers would not only impede journalists and civic groups from fulfilling their vital roles as watchdogs, but they would also undermine the public's right to know and participate in the democratic process.

Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of good governance, and any attempt to limit public access to government proceedings and records threatens the integrity of our democratic system. I urge our elected representatives to reconsider this provision and prioritize the preservation of transparency and public trust.

Safeguarding the public's right to access information is essential for a thriving democracy. Let us work together to ensure that our state continues to uphold these fundamental principles.

Sincerely,

Marty Elliott

Marion, NC