Tell state legislators OPRA 'reform' is wrong

Editorial

..... In a stunning rebuke to government transparency, the Legislature on Monday [05/13/2024]passed legislation that, if signed by Governor Phil Murphy, will hobble the New Jersey Open Public Records Act and badly damage the public's right to know in the garden state.
..... The legislation, introduce by state Senate Paul Sarlo. a Bergen County Democrat, and co-sponsored by state Sean tor Anthony Buco, R-Morris, and by Assemblyman Joseph Danielsen, D-Somerset, and Assembly woman Victoria Flynn, R-Monmouth, was paralleled as a reform by tis supporters in the Legislature and by advocates from organizations such as the League of Municipalities. Organizations like the league have long contented that providing access to records - records paid for by taxpayers - puts an undue burden on municipal clerks, who are also paid by taxpayers.
..... The bill was not a reform. Instead, the legislation was an assault on the public's right to access government documents and data.
..... Its passage rolls back decades of progress in providing access to public records on the local, county and state levels - a perspective raised by members of the public and our colleagues across ht New Jersey press corps, who warned of government overreach.
..... We have already urged Murphy on being a leader of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, has said he is "all in on transparency."
..... If he signs this legislation, his legacy will be badly, permanently damaged in Trenton. A signature on this law - along with his signature on 2023's disastrous Election Transparency Act, which essentially defanged the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, a critical nonpartisan watchdog, and badly weakened campaign finance statutes - will tarnish Murphy's notion that he is a champion of transparency.

How did the legislature vote?

..... The bill passed at breakneck speed last week [05/09/2024] after its reintroduction with amendments - and with majorities in both chambers.
.... In the state Senate, the legislation passed with 21 yes votes, 10 no votes and nine state senators not voting.
..... In The assembly, it passe with 42 yes votes, 28 no votes, nine members not voting and one abstaining.

Tell your legislators how you feel: Stand up for transparency

..... If you care about the future of OPRA and the public's access to government data, we strongly urge you to contact legislators in Trenton who supported the measure.
..... We've provided phone numbers and urge you to call district offices to register you concerns and share your perspectives.

Who voted yes in the New Jessey state Senate?

* Carmen Amato - R, (609) 693-6700
* James Beach - D, (856)429-1572
* Renee Burgess - D, (862) 231-6577
* John Burzichelli - D, (856) 226-3530; (856) 279-2920
* Nilsa Cruz-Perez - D, (856) 541-1251; (856)547-4800; (856) 853-2960
* Joseph Cruan - D, (908) 624-0880; (908) 327-9119
* Patrick Diegnan - D, (908) 757-1677
* Vin Gopal D, (732) 695-3371
* Linda Greenstein - D, (609) 395-911
* Owen Henry - R, (732) 607-7580
* Joseph Lagana - D, (201) 576-9199
* Paul Moriatry - D, (856) 232-7600; (856) 401-3073
* Nellie Pou -D, (973) 247-1555
* M Teresa Ruiz -D, (973) 484-1000
* Paul Sarlo - D, (201) 804-8118
* Nick Scutari - D, (732) 827-7480
* Robert Singer - R, (856) 987-2790
* Troy singleton - D, (856) 234-2790
* Bob Smith - D, (732) 752-0770
* Brian Stack - D, (201) 721-5863; (201) 376-1942 Cell
* Joseph Vitale - D, (732) 855-7441

Who voted yes in the New Jersey Assembly?

* Reginald Atkins - D, (908) 445-7154
* Linda Carter - D, (908) 5615757
* Craig Coughlin -D, (732) 8857441
* Joe Danielsen - D, (732) 247-3990
* John DiMaio - R, (908) 684-9550
* Margie Donlon - D, (732) 695-3371
* Kevin egan - D, (732) 249-4550
* Victoria Flynn,, D, (732) 856-9833
* Louis Greenwald - D, (856) 435-1247
* Garnet Hall - D, (973) 762-1886
* Dan Hutchison - D, (856) 401-3073
* Robert Karabinchak - D, (732) 548-1406
* Sean Kena - R, (732) 974-0400
* James Kennedy - D, (732) 943-2660
* Pamela Lampitt - D, (856) 435-1247
* Yvonne Lopez - D, (732) 638-5057
* Julio Marenco - D, (201) 295-0200
* Antwan McClellan - R, (609) 778-2012
* Cody Miller - D, (856) 232-6700
* William Moen - D, (856) 547-4800; (856) 541-1251; (856) 853-2960
* Carmen Theresa Morales - D, (973) 450-0484
* Luanne Peterpaul - D, (732) 695-3371
* Eliana Pintor Marin - D, (973) 589-0713
* Annette Quijano - D, (908) 3279119; (908) 624-0880
* Verlina Reynolds-Jackson - D, (609) 571-9638
* Gabriel Rodriquez - D, (201) 223-4247
* William Sampson - D, (201) 455-2966
* Gary Schaer - D, (973) 249-3665
* Gerry Scharfenberger - R, (732) 856-9294
* Alexander Schnall - D, (848) 245-9486
* Erik Simonsen - R, (609) 778-2012
* William Spearman - D, (856) 853-2960; (856) 541-1251; (856) 547-4800
* Shanique Speight - D, (862) 237-9752
* Sterley Stanley - D, (732) 875-3833
* Shovonda Sunter - D, (793) 925-7063
* Lisa Swain - D, (201) 576-9199
* Cleopatra Tucker - D, (973) 450-0484
* Anthony Verrelli - D, (609) 2920500
* Jay Webber - R, (973) 917-3420
* Benjie Wimberly - D, (973) 925-7061

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