Public records law ‘eviscerated’ by budget bill

From Daily Democrat:  Cities and counties could dramatically restrict the information they release to the public without explanation under a bill approved by the state Legislature and sent to Gov. Jerry Brown.

The new legislation, tucked into a budget bill last Wednesday, makes it optional for local governments to comply with deadlines and other rules when they receive requests for public records. Current law requires them to respond within 10 days and cite reasons for needing more time or rejecting a request.