Opinion: Californians want access to public records
By Joyce Terhaar, Sacramento Bee
Voters in El Dorado County said “no.” So did those in Amador, Sutter and Calaveras counties.
But voters throughout most of this region – Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Yuba and Nevada counties – said “yes” to Proposition 42 on June 3, making it clear they want local governments to provide public access to meetings and records. Statewide, 61.9 percent of voters approved Proposition 42, compared with 38.1 percent opposed.
It’s been a little hairy watching public access to records and local government meetings get caught up in a fight between state and local officials over who, exactly, would pay for such access. Judging from many of you who contact the Bee, Californians want information and they want access. And when it directly affects their lives, they want both passionately.