Miss OPRA Regrets She's Unable To Respond Today

by: Bill Orr

Tue Sep 14, 2010 at 12:00:23 PM EDT

The Open Public Records Act (OPRA) calls for a response within seven days.

After an original deadline of September 7, yesterday was the extension deadline for Sen. Weinberg's OPRA request for background documents to substantiate the governor's difference of opinion with the Office of Legislative Services over funding for Family Planning. In a comment in her Monday Blue Jersey diary she says she was told "that they couldn't meet the deadline (no kidding)... I did allow another 24 hour extension and made it clear that I would expect the documents in my Senate office by the end of business on Tuesday, September 14." These documents are an essential part of the effort on September 20 to override Gov. Christie's veto on women's health care.

On August 26 Senator Buono filed a request for all documents related to New Jersey's 2010 application to the Race to the Top funding. She granted one request for an extension and denied a second request made just two days after granting the first one. No documents are yet forthcoming.

The Asbury Park Press on Aug. 27 filed a request under OPRA to both the governor's office and the state Department of Education for copies of all correspondence regarding the firing of former Education Commissioner Bret Schundler. In a recent response no date was given for completion of that review.

A free and open government must be responsive to requests for information in a timely manner and as stipulated by law. At least the governor just signed a bill creating a standard fee for OPRA request documents. However, that apparently does not stop Miss OPRA from sending her regrets.