WOZNIAK LAUDS OPEN RECORDS PASSAGE; BUT KEY WORK STILL AHEAD HARRISBURG, February 13, 2008 - - State Sen. John Wozniak this week praised passage of the Pennsylvania’s new “Right-to-Know” law, and vowed to work toward smooth implementation. “The new open records legislation is one of the best in the country,” Wozniak said. “But there is still much work to be done to make sure what looks good on paper works well for Pennsylvanians.” The new law creates an office of open records within the administration, as well as a uniform process for appealing denials. It will take effect on Jan. 1. “The effective date gives us time to create an effective system,” Wozniak said. “The legislature must stay on top of the process to make sure constituents are being heard.” The new legislation (Senate Bill 1) will give the public greater and timelier access to new and old government records,” Wozniak said. “It was a complicated task but well worth the effort,” he said. Wozniak said the amended bill would presume that government records - as well as legislative records -- are public records unless one of the limited exceptions applies.