Jersey Lawmaker Pushes Plan to Increase Government Transparency

David Matthau Reporting

A Jersey lawmaker is introducing a measure that's intended to increase and promote government transparency on all levels.

Legislation sponsored by State Senator Jim Whelan would require all municipalities, Counties, and the State to post all public records online as soon as possible - and no later than 30 days after they are approved.

He says "we're in the electronic age, we're in the age where most of our citizens have greater access to computers…we need to get into the 21st century and put things online, where it's actually more convenient and better for folks to have the access."

He says "it's a way of making the transition that needs to be made, but also ultimately of saving money, in terms of the amount of paper that gets produced …it's going to save money and save everybody a lot of time - if everything is online, you don't have the record keeping and the OPRA process that we go through now - it's right there…most towns are prepared, and have the capacity to do this already."

The measure is scheduled to be considered today by the State Senate Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee.

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