Opening up ethics records -- UPDATE

A post here on May 16 ("Ethics law needs change to open up records") pointed out that the State Ethics Board, planning to post financial disclosure of officials online, was required by law to collect information on people who want to see the files -- and turn that information over to the official whose forms are being inspected.

Rep. Spencer Black said today he will introduce a bill to end that requirement.

"The public has a right to see this information without having to disclose their interest. This is public information and the viewing of this information should be free and open. The identification requirement serves no legitimate public purpose, but it could deter a member of the public from viewing information which they have a right to see,” said Black.

“To my knowledge, this is the only public document where a member of the public has to reveal their identity in order the view the public document.” (Wrong on that score. The same applies if you ask the Dept. of Revenue to get the amount of state income taxes someone paid, which is available. It also warns against disclosing the info.The form.

But Black is right about this: "It is time to get rid of the outmoded requirement that limits the open public viewing of this information. The disclosure requirement never made good sense, but is more burdensome than ever now that the information will be available on-line,” Black commented. “By viewing the ethic filings, the public can decide for themselves whether an official has a conflict of interest.”