newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

A vote is scheduled in the New Jersey legislature on Monday that would give governments the option to skip buying legal ads in newspapers as long as they self-publish legal notices and public records on the Internet.

The bill was criticized heavily by good-government advocates and newspaper executives a year ago, and never went to a full-floor vote. Supporters say the measure would save some local governments hundreds of thousands of dollars on their budgets. Newspaper publishers fear the loss of revenue would likely put some papers out of business.

According to the Asbury Park Press, Heather Taylor of Metuchen-based Citizens Campaign said, “It’s poor public policy, because it essentially allows the fox to mind the hen house. Governments would be putting themselves in charge of making sure they meet proper notification standards. Citizens need more safeguards, not less. Plus it’s being rushed through at the 11th hour.’’

The Press of Atlantic City feels that allowing government agencies to publish notices online only will lead to less scrutiny of government. Their notices could only be located by searching websites through towns and agencies.

Bill sponsors say the measure makes government more transparent and can save $70 million. But according to phillyburbs.com, the New Jersey Press Association says the total ad revenue statewide is only $20 million – but about $12 million of that comes back to local governments from private entities.

The Trentonian believes the law limiting access to government information would do serious damage to newspapers if passed, and would hurt all New Jersey residents.