Jersey City Councilmembers Sponsor Resolution in Defense of the Open Public Records Act and Against State Assembly Bills A5613, A5614, A5615, and A5616

JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Jersey City Municipal Council is set to introduce a resolution calling on the New Jersey State Legislature to oppose State Assembly Bills A5613, A5614, A5615, and A5616—-four bills that would water down the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) by imposing new and stringent limits on who can make OPRA requests and how often.

The bill is co-sponsored by Council President Joyce Watterman and Councilmembers James Solomon, Mira Prinz-Arey, Yousef Saleh, and Frank Gilmore.

“Government transparency is a critical cornerstone of our democracy” said Council President Joyce Watterman. “It is essential that residents can continue to turn to their government and utilize OPRA without any form of limitations or restrictions.”

“OPRA helps keep government accountable to the public—and any attempt to curtail it should be rejected,” said Councilmember James Solomon. “The law was designed to expand public access to public records. We should be making it easier for the public to know what’s going on at all levels of our government, not harder.”

“I understand the spirit of the OPRA reform bills that are working their way through committee at the state, and I appreciate the intent to make it harder for people who abuse the system of accessing government records for their own gains,” said Councilmember Mira Prinz-Arey. “However, I have serious concerns about the dangers around lack of transparency and a process that makes it difficult to challenge denials in Superior Court. Transparency and accountability are how governments maintain public trust, and these bills may end up doing more harm than good.”

"I am deeply troubled by the efforts of the NJ State Legislature to make government less transparent" said Councilwoman-at-Large Amy DeGise. "OPRA is a critical tool to ensure governments in NJ are open and accountable to residents. Restricting one of the most important of accountability measures we have is a step in the wrong direction."

“I believe that transparency and accountability are fundamental principles of good government and that 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,” said Councilmember Yousef Saleh. “While I believe changes are needed as a result of challenges that have emerged surrounding the Open Public Records Act and OPRA requests, I urge the State Legislature to protect and strengthen the Open Public Records Act to ensure that the public's right to access government records is upheld, while simultaneously working on necessary updates to address emerging challenges surrounding OPRA. “

“We shouldn’t even be at this juncture,” said Councilmember Frank Gilmore. “But at a time where we have witnessed the overturn of Roe V. Wade and Affirmative Action, this type of measure of protection is unfortunately necessary.

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James Solomon represents downtown Jersey City as the Councilmember for Ward E. He is focused on building a just city with affordable housing and improved mass transit, bicycling, and pedestrian infrastructure. He is also an adjunct professor of political science at Saint Peter's University, New Jersey City University, and Hudson County Community College.