Sen. Lou DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, speaks at the press event for reforming Rhode Island’s public records law at the State House Library on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. At left is Rep. Patricia Serpa, a West Warwick Democrat and chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee. Both legislation introduced bills in their respective chambers that would reform the Access to Public Records Act. At right is Michael McDermott, a board member of ACCESS/Rhode Island. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)
Rhode Island’s public records law is having a moment.
After all, emails, text messages and a startling video showing bouncing anchor rods below I-195 Washington Bridge westbound lanes were what offered a glimpse of how the emergency bridge closure first unfolded. Not to mention the ensuing outrage over the amount of and inconsistency in charges to media outlets who asked for the public documentation (though the outlets were subsequently refunded).
As the highway crisis continues to unfold, lawmakers and advocates are rallying not only to fix the broken bridge, but to close loopholes in the law governing access to public records.