Pa. court rules records requests must be considered

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A state appellate court has ruled state and local agencies must consider requests for public records even if they do not conform to the agencies’ policies.

In a 4-to-3 ruling today, a Commonwealth Court panel said requests filed under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law do not need to cite the law or satisfy other technicalities so long as they are specific enough to identify the records and include the requester’s name and address.

The case revolves around the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s refusal to consider a citizen’s request for communications involving a resort casino license that was ultimately awarded to a casino in Valley Forge.

Terry Mutchler, director of the state Office of Open Records, calls the decision a victory for Pennsylvanians who want “access with ease” in obtaining records.