Controversial proposed changes to the Kentucky Open Records Act did not make it into law during this session of the General Assembly, and Kentuckians are the better for the failed attempt. However, the battle for transparency has not been won, as Senate President Robert Stivers has indicated that legislators will try again to pass a version of House Bill 509.
HB 509 would have required official emails for public employees. But it would have also made any records on personal devices not subject to open records requests.
“I understand the desire to create email accounts. I think that’s a good thing. But on balance, this law doesn’t enhance transparency, it destroys it,” attorney for the Kentucky Press Association Michael Abate told lawmakers in Frankfort in March.
If discussions about public issues were held on private devices, the public might never learn about them. It would be naive to think that some officials would not hide controversial discussions by simply using personal email accounts. We have seen myriad examples in recent history.
While the bill was not passed this session, the effort continues.
Stivers said he expects to see it return during the interim session, and maybe next year if it doesn’t move forward then.
Unfortunately, we have seen repeated efforts in recent years to weaken Open Records laws, across the country and in Kentucky.
The danger of such efforts cannot be overstated.
While we are glad HB 509 did not advance this session, it is disheartening to learn that the effort to pass such legislation is not permanently dead.
It is also disturbing that such attacks on Open Records laws seem to be a recurring theme in the General Assembly.
It is time for legislators in Frankfort to end the assaults on transparency — permanently.
This may be our last fair election.
If Trump is elected, these laws will be enacted:
1.Political rivals will be jailed.
2.NATO, SUPREME COURT, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WILL BE CLOSED.
3.Media News will be regulated.
4.Schools and churches will be closed.
5.You will either worship him, or you don’t work or eat.
6.The White House Will be his Kingdom, and we will be his subjects.
7.The January 6th insurrectionists will be his generals.
6.He has already allowed Russian Leaders to stand on the ground
where our forefathers fought and died, and trample in their blood.
If you think this can’t happen, look at what he has already gotten away with.
He has judges and The Supreme Court in his pocket.
If he is reelected, he can enact Marshall law, he has sole power.
check out the constitution.
His heroes are Putin and North Korea.
He brags about a love letter from North Korea’s leader.
All Putin has to do is praise him and since Putin is much smarter, our country can belong to Russia.
I’m just a 79-year-old and I don’t claim to be smart, but I have common sense.
Is this the world we want our children to inherit?
Why has followers believed his lies/ He is one of the best cons, that has ever been created.
Unless women defeat him, he may defeat us all.
Bad things happen when good people do nothing.
He’s the man who said he never ask GOD for forgiveness because he never done anything wrong.
He talks about his daughter’s body and says they have sex in common.
Is this the leader you want your child looking up too?
Yes, Joe Biden is older, and he may be forgetful, but we know that he doesn’t have plans to destroy our country.
We need to choose the less of 2 evils, to save this country for our Children, and grandchildren.
This is a young country, and we are fragile in areas.
I hope all women reads and heeds my call to vote.
Check out Revelation!