Gov. Phil Murphy has directly appointed four members to the state’s Government Records Council, the state entity that oversees public records disputes.

Murphy, a Democrat, appointed former GOP state Sen. Chris Brown and legal scholar Ronald Chen to the council. The governor also reappointed current members Steven Ritardi, a partner at Carmagnola & Ritardi, and Robin Berg Tabakin, the current council chair and owner of Technoforce. She is also the former president of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners.

What Is The New Jersey Government Records Council (GRC)?

The Government Records Council (GRC) is committed to making the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) work for the citizens of New Jersey. Since the law’s inception, the GRC has worked hard to make government records more easily accessible to the public. The GRC is committed to being the facilitator of open government in New Jersey.

Created under OPRA, the Government Records Council:

• Responds to inquiries and complaints about the law from the public and public agency records custodians
  
• Issues public information about the law and services provided by the Council
  
• Maintains a toll-free help-line and Web site to assist the public and records custodians
  
• Issues advisory opinions on the accessibility of government records
  
• Delivers training on the law
  
• Provides mediation of disputes about access to government records
  
• Resolves disputes regarding access to government records

News: @GovMurphy makes four direct appointments to the Government Records Council, which oversees OPRA disputes (two members are new to the council and two are being reappointed). https://t.co/ndBhIAO4HE

— Daniel Han (@danieljhan_) September 4, 2024