How ‘transparent’ are local agencies?

“Transparency” – it’s a popular buzzword with politicians these days. They all seem to be for it, at least until you ask for something they don’t want you to see.

But there is help out there.

The website muchrock.com has some very useful information about Montana’s open records provisions and citizen rights. For instance, a citizen who requests copies of public records can be required to pay ten cents per page for copies as well as $8.50 per hour for search time over a half hour. There are no time limits on how long an agency can take to respond to a request for records, however, says the website.