Tis the season . . . for lawmaking

We’re barely into November, but already some folks can’t wait for the festivities to start. We’re talking, of course, about the General Assembly, and the folks in question are lawmakers touting their legislative agendas. We haven’t seen any pre-filed bills yet, but one DeKalb House Republican is already showing her hand a good two months before the beginning of the session.

Rep. Jill Chambers wants to ratchet up the penalties for those who knowingly violate the state’s Open Records Act. What a capitol idea! She hasn’t drafted her bill yet — in fact, she’s announced that she’s throwing “parties” to solicit ideas on how to overhaul the act — but she wants to increase the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony.

In blog posts and e-mails, Chambers explains that she’s been frustrated with politicians who willfully flout the law because the penalties are so meager. She cites the illegal, closed-door meetings in August by the Doraville City Council, during which three members tried to oust the police chief.

She’d like to see potential fines of a flagrant Open Records violation increased from $100 to $5,000.