Cockroaches Scuttle Most in The Dark
While other states are making moves to increase transparency and accountability, Arizona Republicans are doing the exact opposite. The recent attempts to limit the public’s access to information are deeply concerning and must be stopped.
The Desperate Attempts to Control Information
Earlier this year, Arizona Republicans introduced House Bill 2153, which would exempt the state from providing public records and documents when requested. This bill, if passed, would make it impossible for citizens to access important records that help bring accountability to government.
This bill is only the most recent example of Republican lawmakers attempting to keep the public in the dark. In 2018, Republicans attempted to pass a bill that would have made it illegal for anyone to record or photograph a police officer without their permission. This would have effectively given police officers the power to decide what can and cannot be recorded.
How This Affects You
These bills are dangerous for a number of reasons. Firstly, they limit the public’s ability to hold the government accountable for their actions. Without access to public records, citizens are unable to know how their tax dollars are being spent or how their government is making decisions.
These bills also limit the press’s ability to report on important issues. By making it more difficult to access information, the press is unable to do its job of informing the public. Without journalists and independent media, citizens are unable to get a full picture of what is happening in their state.
“Are you a communist?”
—Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls
“No I am an anti-fascist”
“For a long time?”
“Since I have understood fascism.”
Howling Yeti 
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