Mayor Lawson’s Public Records Power Grab, AB 51.
Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson is apparently channeling his social media rantings into actual legislation. AB51, the "We'd Rather You Didn't Look Too Closely" bill, aims to make public records about as accessible as Fort Knox – but with more paperwork.
The irony is rich: The League of Cities, whose mission statement reads like a love letter to transparency and innovation, is backing a bill that treats public records requests like classified CIA operations. What's next – secret handshakes and decoder rings?
The League of Cities states, “Our mission is to relentlessly advocate for, and protect the interests of, cities, towns and villages by influencing federal policy, strengthening local leadership and driving innovative solutions.” So, limiting access to public records is protecting the interests of cities? It may be protecting the interests of Mayor Lawson.
While Mayor Lawson's fingerprints are all over this, let's not forget Reno's enthusiasm for the cause. Perhaps they're still smarting from This Is Reno's exposé on their creative interpretation of "discretionary funds" last year. Nothing says "nothing to see here" quite like making it harder to see anything at all.
Speaking of Mayor Lawson – known more for his social media performances than strategic thinking – this surprisingly calculated move feels about as authentic as a three-dollar bill. One has to wonder: Who's really pulling the strings here? We all know Lawson is missing a “strategic” gene
The bill's requirements read like a bureaucrat's wish list: written requests, fees, and full identification of anyone nosy enough to want public information about their government. Because apparently, the public's right to know should come with a side of "who wants to know?"
In the spirit of transparency (while we can still get away with it), we're going to get public records showing what Sparks taxpayers shelled out for three councilmembers – Bybee, Vanderwell, and the already-defeated Dahir – to attend last year's NLC Convention in Tampa, Florida. Yes, you read that right: Dahir attended a "how to run a city" conference after voters decided he shouldn't run the city anymore.
Remember, folks: Your tax dollars are funding both Reno and Sparks memberships in the League of Cities and their creative approaches to keeping you in the dark. Democracy in action has never been so... selective.
National League of Cities Membership Dues
How about we let Mayor Lawson know that public records aren't just another social media post he can rage against? They're the backbone of governmental accountability – something that shouldn't require a background check to access.