Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden is hosting a series of meetings in north Idaho to promote better understanding of the state’s laws regarding access to public records and open meetings.
Wasden says citizen participation in government is critical and that without it our system of government fails. However, he says that to participate fully citizens need access to their government.
“They have to be able to make requests for records, there has to be a timely response to that, so that they can know and understand and participate in their government,” Wasden says.
Wasden has been hosting meetings around the state for the past several years promoting greater understanding of public records and open meetings. Most recently his office has teamed up with reporters and the group Idahoans for Openness in Government in holding the public forums.
Wasden says the forums have been valuable for journalists covering the workings of government, as well.
This week the meetings have been in north Idaho, with stops in Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene, Moscow, and Lewiston.
Copyright 2011 Northwest Public Radio
