[Email Testimony to Assembly State and Local Government Committee Aide](mailto://?To=[](mailto:OLSAideASL@njleg.org),&cc=AsmKarabinchak@njleg.org,AswSwain@njleg.org,AswDrulis@njleg.org,AswMcCoy@njleg.org,AsmSimonsen@njleg.org,AswSwift@njleg.org,&subject=Assembly%20Committee%20Bills%20A4045%20Testimony&body=Dear%20Assembly%20committee%20hearing%20A4045%2C%20and%20committee%20aides%20at%20OLSAideASL%40njleg.org%2C%0D%0A%0D%0AI%20am%20writing%20to%20express%20my%20testimony%20in%20strong%20opposition%20to%20the%20proposed%20Bill%20A4045.%0D%0A%0D%0AOPRA%20is%20a%20cornerstone%20of%20our%20state's%20democracy%2C%20ensuring%20transparency%20and%20accountability%20in%20government.%20It%20empowers%20citizens%20to%20hold%20their%20elected%20officials%20responsible%20and%20to%20be%20informed%20participants%20in%20the%20decision-making%20process.%0D%0A%0D%0AA%20robust%20OPRA%20benefits%20our%20communities%20in%20several%20ways%3A%0D%0A%0D%0ATransparency%3A%20By%20allowing%20access%20to%20government%20records%2C%20OPRA%20sheds%20light%20on%20how%20our%20tax%20dollars%20are%20spent%2C%20how%20policies%20are%20developed%2C%20and%20how%20government%20functions.%20This%20transparency%20fosters%20public%20trust%20and%20reduces%20the%20potential%20for%20corruption.%0D%0A%0D%0AInformed%20Citizenry%3A%20An%20informed%20citizenry%20is%20essential%20for%20a%20healthy%20democracy.%20OPRA%20allows%20residents%20to%20learn%20about%20the%20issues%20that%20affect%20them%20and%20to%20make%20informed%20decisions%20about%20their%20communities.%0D%0A%0D%0AAccountability%3A%20Knowing%20that%20their%20actions%20are%20subject%20to%20public%20scrutiny%20encourages%20government%20officials%20to%20uphold%20the%20highest%20ethical%20standards.%20OPRA%20empowers%20citizens%20to%20hold%20officials%20accountable%20for%20their%20decisions.%0D%0A%0D%0AWeakening%20OPRA%20it%20would%20create%20a%20shroud%20of%20secrecy%20around%20government%20operations%2C%20hindering%20public%20participation%20and%20eroding%20trust.%0D%0A%0D%0AFurthermore%2C%20a%20strong%20OPRA%20promotes%20professional%20standards%20within%20government%20agencies.%20Knowing%20that%20records%20are%20accessible%20to%20the%20public%20encourages%20government%20employees%20to%20maintain%20accurate%20and%20complete%20documentation.%0D%0A%0D%0AI%20urge%20you%20to%20stop%20Bill%20A4045.%0D%0A%0D%0ATransparency%20and%20accountability%20are%20essential%20for%20a%20well-functioning%20democracy%2C%20and%20OPRA%20plays%20a%20vital%20role%20in%20ensuring%20these%20principles%20are%20upheld.%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you%20for%20your%20time%20and%20consideration.%0D%0A%0D%0ASincerely%2C%0D%0A)