Public officials routinely told the reporters they must wait 10 working days to see basic information, such as phone bills or the city manager's contract. Although government agencies can ask to see a requester's identification, they are expressly forbidden from asking why the information is being requested or how it will be used. Borchard said such reluctance is inconceivable. It's something that's needs to be given to the public. This is an additional safeguard.
Any time there's more public knowledge, it's good.
Nancy Monson, Texas Freedom of Information Foundation executive director, says many government employees simply find it inconvenient to allow the public access to the information to which it's entitled. Government employees are the holders of our information, but I think they have the idea that it's all just a big pain. Many government employees have another view. But I'm a citizen myself, and if I wanted information I would hope I could go and get that information. Romeo L. Lomas, Pct. 4 Kleberg county commissioner, said he welcomes the new state law.