Government Disclosure Petitions Available at Herald Office

RISON - The Cleveland County Herald is collecting signatures on petitions that will amend the state constitution and establish a new state law that provides greater transparency of local and state government.Anyone interested in supporting the Arkansas Government Disclosure Amendment of 2024 and the Arkansas Government Disclosure Act of 2024 can sign petitions to have both placed on this year's general election ballot in November. The petitions can be signed anytime during the Herald's regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Herald office is located at 215 Main Street in downtown Rison."Arkansas has had one of the strongest Freedom of Information (FOI) laws in the country, but many of those freedoms have been diminished over the years," said Britt Talent, editor/ publisher of the Herald. "This amendment and accompanying act will make our state and local governments more transparent to the public." Essentially, the Arkansas Government Disclosure Amendment and Act does three things: Clearly establishes citizen access to our government meetings, records and notices as a constitutionally protected right. Just as the right to free speech, the right to bear arms, etc.Establishes that the legislature may not change any law that affects transparency without a 2/3rds vote in the House and the Senate to refer the question to the vote of the people in the next General Election.Increase sanctions for those who willfully violate the rights protected by the amendment.More information on both the amendment and the act are available at the Herald office.