Pennsylvania Debate Over Making Funding Commitment Letters Public

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Each year, Pennysylvania’s governor sends out a half dozen or so letters committing the state to fund various programs even before the legislature has provided funding. The letters are private; not even legislative leaders see them. Now lawmakers debating a new public records law are debating if the letters should remain secret. Gov. Ed Rendell says he has no problem if the letters become public. “It’s expenditure of funds.” (1/17/08)