The We the People Coalition, which represents New Jersey pro-democracy advocates, has issued the following statement in response to a decision to slow movement on a package of bills relating to the Open Public Records Act:

We are pleased that lawmakers decided to slow movement on an ill-considered package that would fatally weaken transparency in government. While we agree that the Open Public Records Act can be modernized and updated to meet changing needs, we must not make it more difficult for voters to find out how their government is working and how taxpayer money is being spent.

OPRA has been key to ensuring accountability in government and is a critical tool to protect our democracy and enhance public faith in our institutions at a time of growing distrust and cynicism.

This delay gives legislators time to meet with advocates to refine this legislative package so that it improves our existing open records framework instead of gutting it.