Keller @ Large: Massachusetts Finally Improves Public Records Law

BOSTON (CBS) - Under the heading of better late than never, kudos go out to the Massachusetts House and Senate for voting Wednesday – unanimously, no less – to bring the state's public records law into the 20th century.

Oh, we're already well into the 21st century? Don't be a buzzkill.

Many legislators had to overcome their instinctive suspicion of and hatred for the media to make this vote, and if some had to be shamed into it by national surveys showing we were one of the most backward states in the country when it came to allowing access to the public documents we generate with our tax dollars, well, whatever it takes.

The bill, which Gov. Baker will presumably now sign, forces cities and towns to take public records requests seriously, and takes away some of the worst stalling and overcharging tactics they've been using. It also protects the municipalities from being jerked around by local trolls and kooks.

And if the legislators still exempt themselves from the law in classic do-as-we-say, not-as-we-do fashion, perhaps we can come back later for the rest of that loaf.

The legislature's action is all the more impressive because it seems to be open season on the news media like never before. If you don't believe me, check out the idiotic hate e-mail I get from across the political spectrum when I dare criticize someone's candidate.

The truth is, we need a working public records law and a vital media to make use of it.

Unless, that is, you'd prefer to turn out all the lights and live in the dark.

Listen to Jon's commentary: