Drafting these regulations was an opportunity to clarify vague and troubling language, but Galvin’s office has failed to address several issues left by state lawmakers.
Secretary of State
BROKEN RECORDS: THE SECRETARY OF SECRECY, PART III
Testimony from state’s agency that oversees the public records law shows how little they care about the public’s access to records
THE SECRETARY OF SECRECY: A NEW COLUMN ABOUT PUBLIC RECORDS REFORM IN MASS, AND JUST IN TIME
There are a few possible solutions. One would be giving Galvin’s office more power to enforce the law. Another would be to streamline the process by eliminating Galvin’s role entirely and having the AG’s office handle the process from start to finish.
BROKEN RECORDS: MASS PUBLIC RECORDS LAWS MAY BE ABOUT TO GET MUCH, MUCH WORSE
The bill still needs to go before the Senate, which will likely change it yet again, so there’s still hope that it will be fixed. But after seeing how the bill was devastated by the House, the future is unpredictable.
SWAT INC: THE COMMONWEALTH’S MOST INFAMOUS MILITARIZED POLICE FORCE CONTINUES TO FLOUT RECORDS LAW
After nearly two months, seven in-person visits, numerous phone calls and emails, and a run-in with the Wilmington police, we finally received some of the records we requested.