Good News: Finally We Have Bi-Partisan Spirit - Bad News: It's to Block Open Government

Heath Haussamen

NMPolitics - The state’s Inspection of Public Records Act makes it illegal to ask someone who is requesting public records why they want to see the documents. That’s because they’re records that belong to the public. The reason a member of the public wants to inspect them is none of the government’s business. Similarly, the reason someone wants to photograph or film a public meeting of a legislative committee should be none of the government’s business. Try telling that to the New Mexico Senate. In response to Gov. Susana Martinez’s webcasting and archiving of committee meetings – which she’s using as part of a heavy lobbying effort – the vast majority of senators on Wednesday approved a new resolution requiring permission from the chair and ranking member to film, transmit or photograph a committee meeting. That essentially means you have to justify yourself. The resolution was sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Jennings, D-Roswell. It passed on a vote of 35-3. Read full column here: News New Mexico

Good News: Finally We Have Bi-Partisan Spirit - Bad News: It's to Block Open Government