2020 AORO Survey Results

9 April 2020

Earlier this year, the Office of Open Records conducted the fourth statewide survey of Agency Open Records Officers (AOROs), the people directly responsible for responding to Right-to-Know Law requests in Pennsylvania. Some highlights from this year’s survey: We received 1,433 responses from a wide variety of agency types. (Last year, we received 1,054 responses.) Responses … Continue reading 2020 AORO Survey Results

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2019 OOR Annual Report

8 April 2020

2019 was the second-busiest year ever for the Office of Open Records. That’s one of the facts included in the OOR’s newly released 2019 Annual Report. The OOR is required to “annually report on its activities and findings to the Governor and the General Assembly” (Section 1310(a)(9) of the Right-to-Know Law). Typically, the annual report … Continue reading 2019 OOR Annual Report

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Sunshine Week Webinars Postponed

16 March 2020

The Office of Open Records webinars scheduled to take place this week will be rescheduled.

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The RTKL and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

12 March 2020

The Office of Open Records has issued the following advisory regarding Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law and the COVID-19 emergency. Last updated April 2 at 11:24 a.m. *** The OOR encourages both requesters and agencies to be considerate and patient while working with each other, especially during the current emergency. Good communication between agencies and requesters is … Continue reading The RTKL and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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The Sunshine Act and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

11 March 2020

The Office of Open Records has issued the following advisory regarding Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act and the coronavirus (COVID-19). Last updated April 8 at 3:21 p.m. *** This advisory relates to all meetings governed by the Sunshine Act; it is not limited to emergency meetings. As a starting point, it’s key for agencies to remember that … Continue reading The Sunshine Act and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Speaking to Students at Drexel University

3 March 2020

Earlier today, I visited Drexel University in Philadelphia to speak to Dr. Ronald Bishop’s journalism class about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law. It was a great discussion, and I appreciate the invitation very much. Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used: Drexel University – Dr. Ronald Bishop – March 3, 2020 (PPTX) Drexel University – Dr. Ronald Bishop … Continue reading Speaking to Students at Drexel University

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Speaking to Students at Temple University

28 February 2020

Yesterday afternoon, I visited Temple University in Philadelphia to speak to Dr. Logan Molyneux’s journalism class about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law. It was a great discussion, and I appreciate the invitation very much. Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used: Temple University – Dr. Logan Molyneux – Feb. 27, 2020 (PPTX) Temple University – Dr. Logan Molyneux … Continue reading Speaking to Students at Temple University

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Speaking to Students at Upland Country Day School

28 February 2020

On Wednesday morning, I visited Upland Country Day School in Kennett Square to speak to two classes (9th grade and 7th grade) about the importance of government transparency and how Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law works. Teacher Judson Morris led the discussions, and I really appreciate the invitation to return to a school I graduated from in … Continue reading Speaking to Students at Upland Country Day School

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OOR Updates Standard RTKL Request Form

26 February 2020

The Office of Open Records has updated the Standard Right-to-Know Law Request Form. (Under Section 505 of the Right-to-Know Law, all Commonwealth and local agencies are required to accept the OOR’s Standard RTKL Request Form.) The new Standard RTKL Request Form includes a series of relatively minor changes, the most notable of which is that … Continue reading OOR Updates Standard RTKL Request Form

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Speaking to Students at Dickinson College

25 February 2020

Yesterday afternoon, I visited Dickinson College in Carlisle to speak to Prof. Amy Worden’s journalism class about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law. It was a great discussion, and I appreciate the invitation very much. Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used: Dickinson College – Prof. Amy Worden – Feb. 24, 2020 (PPTX) Dickinson College – Prof. Amy Worden … Continue reading Speaking to Students at Dickinson College

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