New Jersey adopts public records law critics say tightens access to documents

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation overhauling access to the state’s public records, likely making it harder for the public and media to access some documents, according to critics. The Democrat on Wednesday acknowledged the disappointment of social justice, labor and other groups that had vociferously objected to the bill. In signing the bill, Murphy said he believed the changes to the law were “relatively modest.” The legislation alters the state’s Open Public Records Act, which the public and journalists regularly use to get documents from state and local governments. Such records also include budgets, agency receipts, public salaries, correspondence and other information not always easy to unearth.