A Victory for Earl Ehrhart

Last week, I opined about open government with this statement:

If an elected official can't get access to public records without having to jump over numerous hurdles, then what does that say about the ability of a regular citizen to get an open records request filled. [Read "What does it say about open government..."]

Today, InsiderAdvantage is reporting that state Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R - Powder Springs) will have his open records request filled...without the $1,000 charge.

What changed?

Apparently, the Governor's Chief of Staff intervened, twisted some arms, greased some palms, and got Ehrhart the information that he wanted. But what about us regular folks? What about the people out there that don't know the Governor's Chief of Staff and don't have connections in their government(s).

We still need more access to open government without undue roadblocks placed in our way; so while I congratulate Rep. Ehrhart on getting his open records request filled, I still encourage him and other elected officials to make government more open and more transparent.