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Senate Votes to Open Law School Board's Meetings
HARRISBURG -- The
Pennsylvania Senate today passed legislation that would require the Dickinson
School of Law Board of Governors to hold open meetings under the provision of
the Sunshine Act. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for
consideration.
Senator Hal Mowery’s bill,
Senate Bill 1039, amends the definition of “agency” in the Sunshine Law to
specifically include the Board of Governors of the Dickinson School of Law of
the Pennsylvania State University which is in his district.
The Board of Governors has
recently held meetings to decide the location of the Law School, but the Senator
noted that only some portions of the sessions were open to the public. “People
across our community are extremely disappointed that the Board of Governors
continues to fight against what should be a clear obligation for open
deliberation. Both state law and the public interest dictate that their
meetings should be open,” Mowery said.
“As this legal battle unfolds
in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, I have pressed for this legislation to show
that there will be no victory for secrecy,” Mowery said.
“The decision about the
future site and mission of the Law School is immensely critical for the students
and the community, and the Board of Governors cannot be allowed to weigh it or
to cut a deal behind closed doors. This is about responsibility and
accountability,” Mowery emphasized.
“As the outcome of a legal
action is unsure, I decided to introduce this bill should an adverse decision be
reached,” he explained.
Mowery noted that the Harrisburg Patriot News
and the Carlisle Sentinel deserve credit for taking action to force the opening
of the meetings of the Board of Governors.
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