Hoboken Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher doesn’t like Assembly Bills A5613, A5614, A5615, and A5616. Ahead of tonight’s Hoboken Council meeting she submitted a resolution (reprinted below) as an emergency in new business along with the requisite resolution approving it as an emergency. 

“This resolution expresses concern over legislation being introduced at the state level that would weaken the Open Public Records Act laws and reduce access to public information and transparency for the public,” Fisher said. 

“The urgency is that the bills may be heard in committee as early as this Thursday, with the result being that they may move forward in the legislative process and I think it is important that we take a stand on this before that happens as one of many stakeholders that will potentially be affected if these laws are enacted,” the councilwoman added.

New Jersey Monitor Editor Terrence T. McDonald expressed his own opinion about the legislation thus:

“This much is obvious: These bills are an assault on the Open Public Records Act, and on the residents of New Jersey who use the law to get their hands on records that often make government officials look bad.

“And — considering some moves the Legislature has made recently, like voting to allow government officials to shield their home addresses from their constituents — they are undoubtedly part of a movement in the Statehouse to curb transparency, to limit what we know about public officials and their actions. Shame on anyone who supports these bills.”

Councilwoman Jennifer Giattino told Fisher she would co-sponsor the resolution.

“But I invite other council members to join as well,” Fisher said. 

Resolution Supporting the Protection of OPRA and Transparency,

and Expressing Concern about NJ Assembly Bills A5613, A5614, A5615, and A5616

WHEREAS, transparency and accountability are fundamental principles of good governance, and the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) plays a crucial role in upholding these principles by providing the public with the right to access government records; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Hoboken, New Jersey, have a legitimate expectation that their government operates in an open and transparent manner, ensuring that government activities, decisions, and information are accessible to the public; and

WHEREAS, protecting and preserving the integrity of OPRA is vital to maintaining public trust in our government institutions and to promoting an environment of openness, responsiveness, and accountability; and

WHEREAS, NJ Assembly Bills A5613, A5614, A5615, and A5616 propose amendments to OPRA that raise significant concerns about potential restrictions, limitations, or attempts to weaken the law, jeopardizing the public’s right to access government records, hindering transparency, and undermining democratic principles; and

WHEREAS, these bills, if enacted, could erode the public’s ability to hold government officials accountable, impede investigative journalism, and hinder the free flow of information necessary for informed decision-making; and

WHEREAS, it is essential for the City of Hoboken to express its opposition to these bills and advocate for the protection and strengthening of OPRA to safeguard the public’s right to access government records;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hoboken that: