Gov Rendell Press Conference on Open Records Bill

Governor Ed Rendell signing SB 1, the open records law today. He held a press conference to do so and he and others took some questions about the bill.

The press conference was replayed on PCN at 10 p.m. Here are my notes from it. Most of the questions were inaudible.

As always, remember I am taking notes as people talk and often cannot get more than the gist or passing phrases. Please check with the person speaking for exact words, or read newspapers tomorrow for more reliable quotes. My apologies in advance for any errors or misconceptions.

Rendell commends the State House and Senate for working together and working in a bipartisan fashion. Not a perfect bill but a good bill and a step on the road to reform. [lists some postitive aspects of bill]. Received a letter from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association praising the bill. Many people responsible for this, singles out four: Sen. Dominic Pileggi, Rep. Bill DeWeese, Rep. Tim Mahoney, and Rep. Josh Shapiro.

Pileggi says this is historic legislation, first updating of law in 50 years, will substantially change dynamic between citizenship and government. This will pay dividends for years to come. Special thanks to Sen. Jake Corman, Sen. Mellow, Sen. Anthony Williams, and Sen. Jim Ferlo. In the house thanks Rep. Sam Smith and Rep. Maher [not sure I heard this correctly], Rep. DeWeese, Rep. Mahoney, and Rep. Shapiro. Thanks two members of his staff. Many public interest groups involved, thanks Penn Newspapers Association

DeWeese: No doubt that new representatives helped bring this about. Praises Speaker O’Brien. This is a major change in how we do business. Would not have happened in the same way without Tim Mahoney, [mentions others including Rick Taylor and Bryan Lentz whom I could see in the background]. We are a new caucus in many many ways.

Mahoney: Praises Pileggi, DeWeese and Shapiro. People ask me what I like about Harrisburg the best. There are good days and bad days and this is one of the best days.

Shapiro: It truly was Tim Mahoney’s heart and his passion for this reform issue that helped it pass. Thanks DeWeese and others. Part of speakers commission recommendations. I realized that we had accomplished something quite great, set for a template of bipartisanship and both houses working together for good. If we apply this template to energy and other issues it will be a benefit for the people of Pennsylvania.

ER: [signing] It isn’t health care but it is a pretty good Valentine’s Day present.

Q: [could not hear]

DP: Law applies to requests made after Jan 1, 2009. There is a ramp up time to start up process.

Q: [could not hear]

ER: Going to rest on the fact that it is a very good bill. Told PA Newspaper Assoc if they didn’t like the bill he wouldn’t sign it. They did and he did.

Q: [could not hear]

ER: This is the first major reform bill. Want to compliment both senate and house for internal reforms. Would like to see in legislation redistricting to open up political process, and campaign finance reform.

Q: [could not hear]

ER: Stimulus package and energy bill. Two similar bills on fuels and conservation and renewable energy and growth. Health care goes before the house in March also. Budget, most important part is education. On reform, would like to see those issues get done before the end of the year. Compliments legislature, has more session days, get things done more quickly. More new young members responsive to pubic and get things done.

Q: include emails between lobbyists and members?

TM: yes, included. This new law will be one of the 10 best in the country.

Q: changes of getting information out

DeW: Certainly there’s a new attitude and approach, try to coordinate and expedite.
DP: Senate has a history of being responsive, become more standardized.

Q: specific documents and records now available that weren’t before

ER: The administration gave out most documentation. We will all try to live up to the spirit of the legislation even though not active until 2009.

Q: [could not hear]

ER: In terms of administration, if can’t get info in a timely manner call the gov and he will try to expedite.

Q: campaign finance reform, limits?

ER: limits on total and amounts in election cycle. There are bills in the hopper. Would like to see some progress.

Q: [could not hear]

DP: Specific provisions in the law that agencies are free to release records that aren’t mandated to be released. Sets a floor for records available, many records now routinely make available that are required to be made available.

Q: office of open records in DCED up and running in Jan 2009

DP: Yes, and room for input in process.


Tie Notes: ER blue & silver striped tie, DP blue and yellow striped tie, BDeW black turtleneck / no tie, Mahoney red patterned tie, Shapiro in previously unseen orange and black striped tie. [photo of signing, Shapiro and Rendell ties visible, more photos of bill signing here]