EDITORIAL: Obama makes it clear

Transparent government is necessary for an honest government.

In an era when the public's right to know is eroded by state legislators and federal officials doing the dirty work of special interests, and local officials hiding information to protect themselves from the truth, it is refreshing to find one official interested in restoring access to government records ?- the president.

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the federal government switched from erring on the side of the public interest in providing records, to erring on the side of caution in denying public records requests. After all, terrorists often go to a government agency to find out weaknesses in our system, right?

President Obama made a move forward to restoring transparency with a presidential memorandum directing federal agencies to begin moving toward digital-based record systems.

"The current federal records management system is based on an outdated approach involving paper and filing cabinets. Today's action will move the process into the digital age so the American public can have access to clear and accurate information about the decisions and actions of the federal government," said President Obama.

The president asked agency leaders to report on their plans for improving record keeping and obstacles to implementing cost-effective systems with greater access for the public.

Computers and recent technology can greatly improve the efficiency of any office. It can make for easier access of older records, allowing increased public access through the Internet.

This is a long overdue approach toward increasing access to public records.

Hopefully the state is taking notice.