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There is an obvious conflicts of interest that affects every public records request. For example, if a request is made to see the emails of an employee, the state agency often has that employee gather up the pertinent emails. It is simply too much to expect that someone who knows they have misbehaved will hand over all of the materials they have related to a matter. The first request can become an opportunity to purge records, like emails and text messages, social networking, etc. Wouldn't the AG represent the state against claims that they mishandled records? Since, the attorney general represents the state's interest. can the AG just decide that the potential of loosing court cases and paying out large settlements is simply not in the interest of state government.

There is a simple solution to all of this. Use an information system to let citizens search working papers, emails, documents, records, policies, and procedures. No person needs to be involved. Reserve an obudsman to arbitrate when records are protected for some reason, like security. Give a mandate that evidence showing policies and laws have been violated loose their protection and must be released with fees reimbursed, along with an administrative service fee or reward paid to the person who made blew the whistle.

posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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