Freedom of Information Act Discussed at Recent Event

Recent proposals and changes to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act was recently discussed at a recent event.

The discussion, recapped in a recent edition of the Harrison Daily Times, occurred during an "Eggs and Issues" gathering sponsored by the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce and and Casey Scribner State Farm Insurance. Area State Senator Bryan King and Representatives Harlan Breaux and Ron McNair were on hand to talk about issues that the legislator had been looking at during the year, including during the recently completed special session.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders had asked the Legislator to make substantial changes to the law that had been in effect since the 1960s. The House and Senate ended up passing a slimmed down version of her request.

Boone County Judge Robert Hathaway and Harrison Mayor Jerry Jackson expressed concerns over what they feel is abuse of the law by individuals that force staff to spend hours looking up information through that law for what they deem may be just because they wanted to or are looking for something to get back at an individual or organization. The legislators admitted that the law can be abused but also serves an important role in keeping the government and its officials accountable for their actions. 

The complete recap of the discussion can be read in the Harrison Daily Times.