COMMENTARY: Journalists shouldn’t get special privileges on public records. Colorado lawmakers may overturn Democratic Gov Jared Polis’ veto of a bill that would slow public records requests for everyone but journalists. It’s bad for the public’s right to know- and for the media.

(this post replaces a deleted post with wonky video - my apologies!)

@jaredpolis The monster is turning on its creator. If you think the progressives stop with citizens you are wrong. They will extend it to journalists. Power corrupts absolutely.

@jaredpolis So the general assembly has moved on from restricting 2nd amendment rights and started restricting 1st amendment rights..who'd have seen that coming? Knock me over with a feather why don't ya. Totalitarianism is the word of the day.

@jaredpolis Do u wonder why they want to slow public records requests? Why not be transparent?

I take them at their word that they want to provide open records custodians with more time to deal with the large volume of requests. I just believe that separating journalists into a separate lane and forcing govt officials to decide who is a journalist is problematic.

@jaredpolis To me, the only reason to allow journalists access and prohibit the citizens would be the ability to control journalists.

@jaredpolis One party rule encourages behavior like this.

@jaredpolis Hilarious, Dems eat their own again….

Amendment 150: Constitutional Right to Access Public Records and Prohibit Restrictive Laws or Journalist Definitions U.S. citizens (per Amendment 37) have the right, in a republic (per Amendment 50), to access public records and bar federal, state, or local gov from laws, actions (e.g., fees), or definitions of “journalist” blocking access, per 1st, 9th, 10th Amendments, except for narrow national security or privacy risks, subject to 7% petition review (34). Records must be free, machine-readable, public (61), within 30 days. Petitions nullify restrictions, verified in 15 days. Citizen panel (5 unaffiliated, per 30) oversees, livestreamed (61). Officials enacting or enforcing blocks face removal, $50k fine, 10-yr imprisonment (38,46). Severe cases (e.g., systemic concealment) seize assets, no appeals. Taxpayer-funded entities (79) aiding violations face dissolution, $50k fine. Citizens audit yearly (28). Petitioners get public access. States adopt this, superseding conflicts. Delays trigger panel rulings, same penalties (46). Transparency absolute—citizens rule.

Like the plot to a dystopian movie, New York will now monitor social media writings, collect data, and use law enforcement to crack down on any expression it deems to be hate speech.

@jaredpolis Thank you. I don't often agree with you on politics. I do on this Bill.