GRC is asked to review improper use of extensions in responding to OPRA requests

December 11, 2015


The drafters of OPRA wisely required records custodians, absent a good reason, to either grant or deny access to requested records within seven business days. Without a hard deadline, records requests could be stalled indefinitely.

In a December 9, 2015 letter, the New Jersey Foundation for Open Government (NJFOG) asked the Government Records Council (GRC) to review Bayonne’s practice of granting itself extensions to the seven business day period without giving a specific reason or date by which a response will be provided. In its letter, NJFOG cautions that Bayonne’s practice “undermines OPRA’s public policy goals and does violence to the public’s right to know.”

The OPRA request and response from Bayonne that prompted NJFOG's letter to the GRC are available here.


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The New Jersey Foundation for Open Government (NJFOG) is the only non-profit organization in the state dedicated solely to improving New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). We work to educate the public about these laws as well as increase governmental compliance, transparency, and accountability.

Pallone Announces Temporary Housing Assistance Extension for Sandy Victims

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will extend the state of New Jersey’s request for temporary housing assistance for residents impacted by Superstorm Sandy for an additional three months. Temporary housing assistance from FEMA automatically expires eighteen months from the original date of a major disaster declaration. Congressman Pallone had originally asked that FEMA extend assistance for an additional six months.

“More than a year after the storm, countless New Jersey residents are still struggling to repair and elevate their homes,” said Congressman Pallone. “Although this extension is not ideal, it will help many residents who are still working to rebuild. If people lose their temporary housing assistance, many will be unable to afford to pay rent for temporary housing in addition to their mortgage while their home is being repaired. I am grateful that FEMA recognizes the importance of these ongoing efforts in New Jersey, but we must continue fighting to help those still dealing with the disastrous impacts of Superstorm Sandy.”

Last month, Congressman Pallone wrote to President Obama asking the he grant a sixth-month extension of the program. According to Section 408 of the Stafford Act, the President may extend the period of temporary housing assistance if he "determines that due to extraordinary circumstances an extension would be in the public interest."

Obama urges extension of unemployment benefits

The Hill - Leading the News

President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday lauded President Bush for convening a meeting of the world’s largest economies to address the global financial crisis but also urged more action at home.

The Illinois senator, in a radio address that for the first time was also videotaped and posted online, said a “coordinated global response” is needed to address the crisis. In addition to world leaders discussing the issue this weekend, Obama argued that Congress must do more to help struggling Americans.

“Millions of our fellow citizens lie awake each night wondering how they’re going to pay their bills, stay in their homes, and save for retirement,” he stated.

However, Obama added that Congress can take steps to address the crisis and “must act right now.”

“Next week, Congress will meet to address the spreading impact of the economic crisis. I urge them to pass at least a down-payment on a rescue plan that will create jobs, relieve the squeeze on families, and help get the economy growing again,” the president-elect said. “In particular, we cannot afford to delay providing help for the more than one million Americans who will have exhausted their unemployment insurance by the end of this year.”

Obama promised that, if Congress does not pass a second stimulus measure during its upcoming lame duck session, he would make it his “first order of business” upon taking office.

The president-elect also sought offer Americans encouragement in tough economic times. Not only did Obama express confidence that the country would overcome the crisis, he also said that the current crisis could lead to opportunities “to create new jobs, strengthen our middle class, and keep our economy competitive in the 21st century.”