Let the sun shine on state government

The American Press

In an era when people are becoming more skeptical of government in general, it is no time for lawmakers to be adding to the list of things they want hidden from the public.

On the contrary, the more sunshine we can have on government the better. Elected officials will never retain or regain the respect of the people by continuing to show distrust and contempt for the people they serve by exempting their actions from public view. Lawmakers in Baton Rouge are proposing a troubling list of public records exemptions that would reduce the right of the people to know what their own government is doing.

Scott Stenberg, a lawyer who represents the Louisiana Press Association, was recently quoted in The (Baton Rouge) Advocate as saying, “People need to know that closing records makes government less transparent and that makes government inherently worse.” 

Both Democrat and Republican lawmakers have reportedly filed more than a dozen exemptions to the public records laws to prevent people from knowing about sexual harassment allegations in government agencies, economic development negotiations for port projects, certain architectural licensing information, details about the state’s medical marijuana program and information about student code-of-conduct violations on public college campuses.

Rep. Mike Danahay, D-Sulphur, chairman of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, told The Advocate that “an inordinate amount” of exemption measures have been filed. He noted that the increase can be attributed to privacy and security concerns raised by technological advancements and electronic record-keeping.

The most sweeping of all legislation filed in the session was by Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, which would broadly exempt all documents or records involving allegations of sexual harassment or discrimination at public agencies. Gov. John Bel Edwards former chief of staff, Johnny Anderson, resigned in November amid sexual harassment allegations. We need more sunshine in government, not less. We need a government we can trust, not one that constantly betrays that trust.

This editorial was written by a member of the American Press Editorial Board. Its content reflects the collaborative opinion of the board, whose members are Crystal Stevenson, John Guidroz, Emily Fontenot, retired editor Jim Beam and retired staff writer Mike Jones. 

The American Press welcomes letters to the editor. Here’s how to submit them. Email: news@americanpress.com. Mail: P.O. Box 2893, Lake Charles, LA 70602. Fax: 494-4070. Web: Submit your letter here.

      e4d583e6-3d9f-11e8-80f3-eb62f52d05222018-04-11T15:49:00ZPrep Softball | DeRidder vs SHHS””

      SHHS’s 00 slides in with the stolen base at 2nd as DeRidder’s SS #1 applies the tag during a non-district game at Sam Houston High School in Moss Bluff, La., Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (Rick Hickman/Lake Charles American Press)

      Rick HickmanRickHickmanPhotographer
      https://www.americanpress.com/content/tncms/avatars/6/d3/ea1/6d3ea1c8-3a6c-11e7-a1c2-0f91a5883b36.b31acdd1ef972ec0a2acb8ea5b28d153.png      ””

      DeRidder C applies the tag as Sam Houston’s #11 slides in safely during a non-district game at Sam Houston High School in Moss Bluff, La., Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (Rick Hickman/Lake Charles American Press)

      Rick HickmanRickHickmanPhotographer
      https://www.americanpress.com/content/tncms/avatars/6/d3/ea1/6d3ea1c8-3a6c-11e7-a1c2-0f91a5883b36.b31acdd1ef972ec0a2acb8ea5b28d153.png      ””

      DeRidder starting pitcher #3 during a non-district against Sam Houston at Sam Houston High School in Moss Bluff, La., Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (Rick Hickman/Lake Charles American Press)

      Rick HickmanRickHickmanPhotographer
      https://www.americanpress.com/content/tncms/avatars/6/d3/ea1/6d3ea1c8-3a6c-11e7-a1c2-0f91a5883b36.b31acdd1ef972ec0a2acb8ea5b28d153.png      b3d31eda903a1ea9ec2160562b1d8d28.jpg

SportsPlus

  • Special Sections

life

SW La. nightlife calendar: There’s always something to do

Local News

Jeff Davis to advertise for position of 911 director

Crime

24-year-old will spend life behind bars for Sherry Street shooting

Crime

7/26: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Iowa Council grants variance for daiquiri vendor near library

Local News

Kennedy files for ballot access in Louisiana

Crime

Welsh man gets maximum 20-year sentence after guilty plea to drug charges

Local News

Four cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease found in La.

life

VIDEO: TrashFormer at work

life

PHOTO GALLERY: Christmas in July

life

Sowela’s Caitlyn Dionne earns gold at national competition

Local News

Lake Charles native achieves one-star rank, promoted to brigadier general

Business

Jeff Davis ITEP committee approves request for solar project

Local News

Secretary of State Landry wants La. to be first in election integrity

Local News

Meet the Trashformer: McNeese students build trash-grabbing robot

Local News

Man on motorized bike fatally struck in Sulphur

McNeese Sports

Cowboys hope competition equals wins

Local News

Netanyahu will meet with Biden, Harris at a crucial moment for US, Israel

life

Cameron Fishing Fest: Get ready to reel in plenty of fun Aug. 1-3

Local News

Higgins announces $3.7M for three La. airports

Local News

Excessive rainfall, flooding on today’s docket

Local News

Israel-Hamas war latest: Netanyahu addresses Congress, vows to achieve ‘total victory’

Local News

Biden delivers solemn call to defend democracy as he lays out his reasons for quitting race

Local News

High-speed chase ends in crash