If you want to hear from an eminent expert on Louisiana public records and how the proposed law would gut access to records, watch Scott Sternberg talk about it here: youtube.com/watch?v=7iJ4wI…

After Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill criticized press coverage of these bills, I noted that local conservative activist and good-government groups have trashed the bills, too. They wouldn't answer, saying I was off topic (presser was called about Title IX suit) #lalege #lagov

BREAKING: The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the City of St. George, saying its plan for incorporation was reasonable, reversing the opinion of lower courts theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/ne…

House lawmakers added $3.5M in state $$ into budget to access $70M in federal food aid through summer EBT program that Gov. Jeff Landry had rejected. Louisiana DCFS says food aid wouldn't be given to families in summer but would be available by end of calendar year. #lalege

“The proposal justifies the hiding of documents as a method to foster ‘open communication,’” said the state’s nonpartisan Public Affairs Research Council. “That argument is hogwash when used to eviscerate state sunshine laws.”

nola.com/news/politics/…

It’s an absolute honor to be a Livingston finalist among such phenomenal reporters from across the country! We’re so proud that NOLA.com/The Advocate’s “For Dear Life” project has had such an impact

Public records are a key component in holding the powerful accountable.

The bill to remove mandatory lunch breaks for workers under 18 PASSES the Louisiana House 61-37. Here's the vote:

#lalege #lagov

'In the Nagin case in particular, the public records sought and obtained by investigative journalists compellingly illustrated how when a public official puts effort into hiding something, it can be like a big red sign that says, 'Hey, look here!''

nola.com/news/politics/…

Corrupt New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin may have never gone to prison if it wasn't for Louisiana's public records law, which Governor Jeff Landry wants to roll back. Andrea Gallo reports: nola.com/news/politics/…

We also touch on this bill in today’s story, which would affect oil and gas companies, mortgage companies and more out-of-state businesses. I interviewed an archivist in DC who specializes in archiving Louisiana records. Can she no longer do that?
nola.com/news/politics/…

Senate & Governmental Affairs votes 6-2 for Republican Sen. Jay Morris bill limiting public records requests to Louisiana citizens. People who live in other states (even if they own property or businesses in La.) would be unable to request records. SB423 to full Senate. #lalege

Among the things Louisianans wouldn't know without public records laws:

Gov. John Bel Edwards was notified that state troopers engaged in “a violent, lengthy struggle” with Ronald Greene within hours of his the Black motorists death.

The Associated Press report: apnews.com/article/death-…

Some of the great storytelling from reporters in Louisiana based on public records includes:
-Lee Zurik: Ray Nagin's calendars, among others
-Jim Mustian: Ronald Greene's death and coverrup
-The Reveille: LSU presidential search records
nola.com/news/politics/…

Public records in Louisiana have been a non-partisan issue. Democrats and Republicans have been brought down by them. In the library book banning wars, both sides have made public records requests. Political operatives on both sides have used them.
nola.com/news/politics/…

As #lalege considers gutting Louisiana's public records laws, here's a look at how instrumental they've been at exposing all kinds of big issues in the state. Would Ray Nagin have gone to prison if not for public records? Would we know about Ronald Greene?
nola.com/news/politics/…

Thank you Andrea Gallo for highlighting this suite of bills backed by a broad coalition of orgs! #lalege #lagov

Louisiana's alarming infant mortality rates spur push for home visits, Medicaid revamp nola.com/news/politics/… via @nolanews

Louisiana lawmakers and Governor Jeff Landry are pushing for a sweeping rollback of public records law. Here's a thread of reporting I've done that wouldn't have been possible without that law.🧵 #lalege #lagov

Nonpartisan PAR Louisiana, which rarely takes yes-or-no stances on legislation, repeats its opposition to the sweeping public records rollback supported by Governor Jeff Landry. PAR president Steven Procopio entered a red card against the bill in committee last week #lalege #lagov

Have you requested public records from a government agency in Louisiana? What did you learn from those records?

Reach out to Andrea Gallo ([email protected]) for a story Andrea's working on about the impact of #lalege trying to gut the state's public records law. #lagov