New Orleans City Council President calls on lawmakers to kill or amend controversial public records bill [Video]

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – At-Large City Councilwoman and Council President Helena Moreno called a bill that would cripple public access to government records “ridiculous” and said she hopes lawmakers kill or change it.

“That statement about democracy dies in secrecy is so incredibly true,” Moreno said.

The bill in question is SB482 filed by State Sen. Heather Cloud (R-Turkey Creek). As written now, it would allow Louisiana governments at all levels, from a library board to the governor’s office, to withhold records on how government decisions are made. Those records could include emails, texts, calendars or any other records connected to a decision.

Cloud’s bill has already passed out a State Senate committee and is scheduled to come before the Senate on Monday (4/29). However, both Cloud and Senate colleagues have indicated the bill will be need to be amended. It’s unclear what the amendments would look like.

“I thought it was just going to be like too …