After a controversy-filled week, legislative leaders agree to roll back changes to California’s Public Records Act.
The California Assembly has passed a measure that would revoke changes to the state’s public records act that are in the budget package lawmakers sent to Gov. Jerry Brown.
The move comes after an outcry from the media about a provision that would make complying with parts of the act optional.
The governor also said he’ll support the bill that passed the Assembly today.
Assembly members defended their involvement in the controversy. Budget Chair Bob Blumenfield said through six months of hearings there was no opposition to the provision.
“Then in Conference committee, the same thing. There was not a peep out of the press. There was not a peep out of the public. But the Assembly was still holding fast,” Blumenfield said.
In fact, at least one newspaper did write about the issue last winter. The Assembly ultimately voted for a compromise on the provision.
Senate leaders said they will take up the Assembly bill while also working on a Constitutional Amendment regarding the issue. Brown supports the Amendment, which would require local governments to cover the costs of complying with the records act.
