Ep 8: Five things we are missing in the discussion about local government public records
Today I want to talk about public records requests — not from an abstract legal perspective, but from the ground level of actually working in towns across Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. This was triggered recently by a VTDigger article that discussed commercial use/abuse of public records requests, and highlighted some of Rethink Local’s work to bring municipal managers together in New Hampshire and Vermont, and some of the nuanced solutions we advocate for.
I believe public records access is an essential part of how our government should function, though it’s only one piece in a larger puzzle.
And things are getting more challenging, and as they do, we continue to have the wrong conversation in some key areas, falling into an overly binary debate that doesn’t get us closer to better solutions. Are you “for” or “against” public records accessibility is a distraction from more important threads related to having transparent, accountable, responsive governments. And there are several solutions that help meet the goals of “both sides” of the debate.
So I want to walk through five areas:
Commercial use (and abuse) and cost fairness
Streamlining simple requests vs. guidance for complex requests
The value of records management and digitization
State guidance, enforcement, and appeals
The bigger trust problem foundational to all of this
Have you had a similar or different experience with public records requests?
Reach out to share your thoughts, ideas, or challenges that you are facing.
Additional resources:
VT Digger article: https://vtdigger.org/2026/02/26/corporate-requests-for-public-records-are-weighing-down-already-burdened-town-officials-in-vermont/
Vermont SOS on public records: https://digitalservices.vermont.gov/about-us/public-records-requests-and-statewide-database
NHMA on public records: https://www.nhmunicipal.org/right-know-law
Join the New England Municipal Manager’s email group: https://rethinklocal.us/new-england-municipal-managers-email-list/