A very narrow interpretation of JB’s openness
Apparently the editorial board of the Wisconsin State Journal hasn’t made an open records request of Atty General J.B. Van Hollen recently. If they had, they might not be giving Van Hollen such a high grade.
Having made several records requests of Van Hollen’s office, we have found him to less than forthcoming with information, following a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes ‘open record.’ Citing all sorts of exemptions, privileged information and exclusions, records requests come out of Van Hollen’s office with as many holes as a piece of Swiss cheese.
The WSJ editors might have at least asked reporters around town who have submitted a request to Van Hollen if they felt they got all of the information they were interested in ‘ my guess is they did not.
But it’s great Van Hollen is traveling around the state campaigning on the public dime hosting these seminars to educate record-keepers and public on what they have a right to know.