Citizens have chance to speak out on electronic records law

Public can email comments
until midnight tonight

Destroying communication between those in government is at the core of the debate over electronic records in Wisconsin.

In July, right before the holiday weekend, the state Public Records Board changed the definition of records that didn’t have to be maintained.

The ruling opened the door to allow lawmakers, and others, to destroy text, email and Facebook messages, among other things.

Afterward, a suit filed with the Dane County district attorney over an open-meetings violation, the appointed board has agreed to reconsider its decision and will hold a public hearing on the matter at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Risser Justice Center, 17 W. Main St., Madison.

Written comments on the secret electronic message decision by the board will be accepted until midnight tonight.  You can email comments here: [email protected]

The board insists it was only attempting to clarify existing policies with its decision.

Critics complain that the action not only violates open-meetings laws but is also very close to changing state law governing records.