Arneson: Independence key to Pa. open records job
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania state legislative aide who is trying to retain his appointment as the state’s open records czar said Monday the public won’t have confidence in the Office of Open Records if the governor can fire the executive director for any reason.
Erik Arneson told the Pennsylvania Press Club the office ruled against the executive branch about 400 times in the last six years, so the threat of dismissal could turn the job into a rubber stamp for the administration.
“If the governor can fire the director at any time, the Office of Open Records will cease to exist,” said Arneson, who is suing Gov. Tom Wolf over his decision to fire him.
Arneson was terminated in January, when Wolf was sworn into office days after his predecessor, Tom Corbett, named Arneson to the job.
A bank of state court judges will hear arguments in the dispute March 11. For now, Arneson is a temporary employee of the state Senate, where he worked for 18 years as a top Republican aide.
Arneson dismissed a suggestion his years as a GOP caucus spokesman could bring his objectivity and fairness into question.
“I do have an agenda,” Arneson said. “My agenda is to promote open records. That’s it. Period.”
Wolf, a Democrat, said Arneson’s appointment by Republican Corbett was too hasty and lacked transparency. Wolf said he intends to launch a national search for a new director, but that search is on hold while the matter goes before the Commonwealth Court.
Arneson had words of praise for two decisions related to government transparency Wolf has made during his first month in office – posting versions of his schedule online and bringing in former Office of Open Records head Terry Mutchler to train top staff on public records issues.
“I think those are tremendous steps,” Arneson said.
He also said the Legislature may need to amend the law as a result of a new state court decision that requires Pennsylvania government agencies to inform people before an agency can release their home address under the Right-to-Know Law.