FORT SMITH, Ark. — Arkansas’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws have been the source of a lot of talk recently since Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders called a special session— with a priority on restricting FOIA after she said it could lead to her family's endangerment.
Tuesday evening, River Valley residents gathered in Fort Smith for a town hall to discuss a constitutional amendment being proposed that would preserve FOIA in the state constitution.
"This was really born out of the vicious attacks that we've seen on FOIA. That really, really has impacted the citizen's right to know. So we're placing it in the hands of the people because, after all, that is our motto: Regnant Populace [The People Rule]. It's important that the people protect their rights from the government," said lawyer and transparency advocate Joey McCutcheon.
Arkansans quickly flooded into the Fort Smith Public Library seeking to defend their constitutional right to be aware of Governmental decisions.
Organizers of the town hall say the goal was to get public input on the Arkansas Government Transparency Amendment (AGTA) draft.
And despite political views, people from both sides of the aisle came together to ensure this bill was to their liking.
"The draft committee has done an outstanding job in what I believe will be the strongest Freedom of Information Act in the country. It will be enshrined in our constitution. And tonight the people will get the comment on that. And, I think it is so important with transparency law and sunshine laws that the people have input," adds McCutcheon.
Those who were there asked a series of questions surrounding the potential costs of FOIA requests, limitations of transparency for state lawmakers, and penalties for exempting valuable information.
"It helped define some of the issues, and gives them some ways to go back and look at their draft proposal and refine it to make it more suitable," said attendee and Justice of the Peace for Sebastian County Quorum Court, Danny Altridge.
When speaking about what the most recent special session, one resident said he believed government travel information should be released soon after they return.
McCutcheon says, "I personally believe that the special session was nothing but a red herring, and their real intent was to decimate the open records provision of FOIA. We want to be able to get records.... but we also recognize that you have to protect the governor's security and other officials' security."
The drafting committee says the proposed amendment calls for the release of that information within 90 days after they return from their travels.
The organizers will be hosting citizen meetings for input for the next week and a half before the final version of the amendment is drafted. The goal is to have the draft completed before candidates file for state offices so they can question candidates on their stance regarding this amendment.
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