NJ Housing Advocates Rebuke Enactment of New OPRA Bill
Say new regulations put further restrictions on public information

6/5/2024

The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network) joins a broad coalition of community development corporations, housing advocates and residents in opposition to Governor Phil Murphy's enactment of legislation that overhauls the state’s Open Public Records Act, amid deep concerns that the new law will place insurmountable restrictions on access to public information. On the today’s bill signing, the Network President and Chief Executive Officer Staci Berger issued the following statement:

“We are deeply disappointed in today’s executive action. This does not reform public records access, it decimates it. Over 80 percent of New Jerseyans came together in opposition to this bill, but our elected leaders still pushed it through. It’s a travesty and a major blow for transparency and democracy.

“Network members utilize the state’s existing OPRA Law not only to research and address land use decisions but also to acquire public safety data to aid in neighborhood planning, mobilize homelessness services and much more. It has been an indispensable tool for community development and neighborhood revitalization. However, now requestors could potentially be on the hook for any legal fees if requests are denied, there are also potential limitations on individual requests that could deter those seeking access to public information.

“The previous version of OPRA has been an invaluable tool we used to help build strong communities and fight back against bad government. Rather than making it easier to access public information, however, it’s now nearly impossible which is a devasting.”

About the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ
The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey is the statewide association of more than 275 community development corporations, individuals and other organizations that support the creation of affordable homes, economic opportunities, and strong communities. For more information on the Network, visit www.hcdnnj.org.