Critics urging Sen. Cloud to kill public records access bill

By Paul Murphy

Source: WWL-TV

April 24, 2024

NEW ORLEANS — Sen. Heather Cloud, a Republican from central Louisiana is trying to resurrect a bill now on legislative life-support. Her legislation that would gut the state’s public records law has attracted critics on both sides of the aisle.

She addressed the full Senate on Tuesday.

“I just wanted to address the bill that is known far and wide,” Cloud said. “I do want you to know that I am working on amendments to the bill as I promised in committee, will be narrowing the scope and working to reduce its widespread implications.”

The Gov. Jeff Landry-backed bill seeks to shield documents used for deliberations and decision-making at all levels of government.

That means many now open records such as emails, text messages, and other communications produced by state and local leaders would be off limits.

The Public Affairs Research Council and Bureau of Governmental Research, nonpartisan, independent government watchdogs, are urging lawmakers to reject the legislation.

“This bill is really dangerous for accountability,” BGR President and CEO Becky Mowbray said. “I would go as far as to say there can be no accountability in government without access to public records.”

PAR President Steve Procopio says he thinks Sen. Cloud is sincere in trying to amend the bill.

“(But) I would like the legislature to just kill it. I think even if this bill was amended, it is still so radioactive I don’t even think the symbol of something like this moving through is not a good sign for Louisiana.”

Mowbray says citizens, journalists, and organizations like hers have a right to know how public tax dollars are being spent.

“If there’s nothing to hide, why are you worried about people taking a look.”

Procopio called it the worst public records bill he’s ever seen.

“It’s your government, you have the right to know what’s going on whether they have something to hide or not. We don’t need it.

Sen. Cloud has promised not to move the bill unless a compromise can be reached.

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