Governor expresses skepticism about privacy bills

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Governor Henry is skeptical about legislation that would place new restrictions on people's access to public meetings and records.<br/><br/>Henry told an Associated Press legislative

Wednesday, February 2nd 2005, 5:26 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Governor Henry is skeptical about legislation that would place new restrictions on people's access to public meetings and records.

Henry told an Associated Press legislative symposium Tuesday that he's always preferred more open government.

More than a dozen bills that chip away at the state's Open Meetings and Open Records acts have been filed by lawmakers at the request of state agencies who want to keep information private.

Many were filed in response to concern about public access to records and meetings that involve security issues, like vulnerability assessments and emergency response plans.

One would exempt the Office of Homeland Security from the Open Meetings and Open Records Acts. Another would exempt annual retreats by members of agencies, boards and commissions.

Henry says he won't look favorably on measures that restrict public access to public information.