LINCOLN- Two Nebraska state senators have been concerned in recent years about challenges regarding citizens’ access to public records, and now they are fighting for change. Sen. Danielle Conrad has worked on open government issues for most of her career. For the vast majority of that time, Conrad has found a cherished commitment to transparency and facilitating citizen engagement.

“I have become increasingly concerned in recent years at increasing levels of hostility from all branches of government in Nebraska,” Conrad said. “I’ve really seen a move away from transparency and open government and the trend toward obfuscation and really kind of playing fast and loose with open meetings laws and public records laws.”

Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh has joined the fight as she has submitted many requests to several state agencies and said each one is “consistently inconsistent.” “I have yet to have a public records request fulfilled without obstacles being placed in front of me beforehand.” Cavanaugh said she would like to see the fees for public record requests eliminated.

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