The state’s open records laws are referred to as Sunshine Laws, a reference to keeping government business in the light rather than hidden.

All governmental entities supported by tax dollars are subject to the laws. Private companies are not. And there is a difference between the two which eludes many elected officials.

When the media requests records, it is doing so on behalf of the public. Taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being spent by officials elected to represent them. When officials are reluctant to comply with requests, it raises legitimate concerns.

There should be no transaction or record that an official should be concerned about being made public.

There are safeguards in place to protect individual privacy and there are exemptions for discussions which might jeopardize the public’s interests.

When officials act like they have something to hide, they often do, and when they begin to consider the government’s business as their personal business, it’s time for the public to become concerned. And for the Attorney General to take action.

House Bill 397 gives the AG the teeth to tackle those who have long been abusing the system as there were few and minor consequences. That will no longer be the case if the General Assembly passes this essential legislation this session.

Kudos to AG Sam Olens for his tenacity in ensuring that the state’s business is conducted in a fair and open manner.