Wilhelm: Democracy served by new legislation on Open Records

The Iowa Senate's vote to approve fundamental reforms of the state's open records and open meetings laws is being praised by State Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm of Cresco.

Wilhelm says "democracy requires that citizens know what government is doing and why."

Senate File 430 has been approved and sent to Governor Terry Branstad for his signature.  The legislation creates the Iowa Public Information Board to address and resolve complaints arising from the Iowa Open Records Law and the Iowa Open Meetings Law.