For Immediate Release
April 10, 2008
Contact:  Lisa Landis
Legislative Director
717-787-6709
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Senator Brubaker to Cosponsor Open Records Forum

Briefing to be held in conjunction with several organizations

LITITZ – State Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) will be cosponsoring an informational briefing on the new Open Records Law in late April to help municipal and county officials understand the recent changes to the law. 

Brubaker will join with the Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors, the County Commissioners of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association and the Governor's Center for Local Government Services to present "The Open Records Act: What is New, and What has Stayed the Same." 

The session will be held on Tuesday, April 29, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Park Plaza, 500 Centerville Road, Lancaster. 

"I was proud to be a cosponsor of the comprehensive reforms to the Open Records Law which were approved by the General Assembly earlier this year," Brubaker said. "However, I realize that local governments are trying to understand their new responsibilities before Act 3 takes effect on January 1, 2009, and for that reason I am pleased that we will be able to help provide that information at the briefing." 

Brubaker noted that while the briefing will provide a good starting point for municipal and county officials to learn about the changes to the Open Records Law, the new state Office of Open Records will also be required to provide training once it has been established. 

"Pennsylvania governments at all levels should be open, transparent and accountable to those they serve," Brubaker said. "I want to thank the organizations involved with this informational briefing for having me as a cosponsor, because I believe we must now work together to ensure that local officials have the information they need to implement the historic reforms of Act 3." 

Individuals can access more information about registration and fees, as well as register online, by going to www.palocalgovtraining.org and clicking the Open Records Act link under "Conferences and Other Training."