4-21-2024: RE: Opposition to Senate Bill 482 – Restricting LA Public Records Law

April 21, 2024 

Louisiana Senate 
900 North Third Street 
Baton Rouge, LA 70802 

RE: Opposition to Senate Bill 482 – Restricting LA Public Records Law 

Dear Senator: 

Louisiana Landmarks Society would like to express our strong opposition to any proposed changes that would restrict or weaken the Louisiana Public Records Law. This law plays a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability in government by providing citizens with the right to access public records. 

The public's right to obtain information about the activities, operations, and decision-making processes of their government is fundamental to democracy. Open public records laws allow the press, advocacy organizations, and ordinary citizens to act as a check on potential abuse, corruption, and wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars. Restricting access would simply enable wrongdoing to go unchecked and unchallenged – eroding public trust even more. 

The free flow of information promotes civic engagement, allows for informed public discourse, and enables citizens to better understand how their elected representatives are serving the public interest. Transparency and public oversight make government stronger by increasing credibility and trust. Louisiana Landmarks Society urges you to uphold our right to a transparent government and oppose any efforts to diminish the Public Records Law. Our democracy depends on it. 

Thank you for your consideration of defending open government and accountability to the people you serve. 

Sincerely, 

 Sandra Stokes 
Chair of Advocacy