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Keller @ Large: How Would You Fix Public Records Law?

BOSTON (CBS) - They're getting ready to move on a long-overdue updating of the public records law in Massachusetts, after years of having one of the nation's most toothless systems of allowing public access to the workings of the government we pay for.

After many wonderful experiences over the years with having my legal and reasonable freedom of information requests met with endless delays and absurdly exaggerated fees when they weren't being outright ignored, I applaud the effort to crack down on stonewalling bureaucrats who just don't get it.

And I support the right of non-media members to have reasonable access to the truth of how their taxes are being spent.

But there's a problem.

The group that represents cities and towns is in a panic over the potential costs of the new law, in part because of what they say is a pattern of "being harassed by disgruntled residents" with repeated public records requests.

The bill already proposes to cap the number of requests from a single citizen to 15 per month, which seems like a lot, especially since he or she can submit plenty more under the names of friends. If people insist on abusing the public records law, it's a problem that even First Amendment advocates need to take seriously.

So on the eve of potential House action on this, I'm asking you to help find a solution.

What is a reasonable compromise that would make those records accessible and end our culture of stonewalling without making our local governments vulnerable to costly exploitation by the fanatics among us?

Should there be a fee to file a FOIA, waivable under some hardship clause for petitioners without means?

Should each town have an ombudsman to screen out excessive requests?

Send me your snappy answers at jpkeller2@cbs.com or via Twitter @kelleratlarge and maybe together we can make this thing work.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

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