Temple, Penn State part of Right to Know push

Temple and Penn State could soon be subject to the state’s Right to Know Law.
Credit: Metro file photo

Pennsylvania’s top open records official believes four state-related universities, including Temple, will be brought under the state’s Right to Know Law by year’s end.

Answering a question about a recent Commonwealth Court ruling on public records that could force the four schools to make records available, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Terry Mutchler told an audience at a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon on Monday: “I believe that it will happen. I believe that it will happen this fall.”

Currently, the four schools — Temple, Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh and Lincoln — are only required to provide limited financial information under Right to Know.

The Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal at Penn State renewed cries for greater access to records at the four schools.

“Any time there is taxpayer money spent, there should be accountability to the taxpayer,” said Mutchler, the executive director of Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records.

The four state-related schools are to receive $502 million in aid from Pennsylvania during the current fiscal year.

A hearing on the issue is planned for the Pennsylvania Senate this fall.