Delaware House of Representatives

Rep. John Kowalko

For Immediate Release: Contact: Drew Volturo
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1ill (ould 2u34ect 5D# D25 to 2tate F6I7 8aws
Kowalko: University of Delaware and Delaware State University receive millions
of dollars in state funds annually, should be treated as public bodies
DOVER Delawares two public four-year universities would be treated as public bodies under
the states open government laws under legislation filed in the House
House !ill ""#$ sponsored by Rep %ohn &owal'o$ would remove an e(emption in Delawares
)reedom of *nformation +ct for the ,niversity of Delaware and Delaware -tate ,niversity
.urrently$ only the universities boards of trustees are sub/ect to )O*+$ while the rest of the
institutions activities$ records and meetings are e(empt
-tate law generally defines public bodies in part as an entity or body established by the 0eneral
+ssembly that 1is supported in whole or in part by any public funds2 -ince fiscal 3445$ the state
has allocated more than 6# billion in the budget to the two colleges more than 65"4 million for
the ,niversity of Delaware and more than 6378 million to Delaware -tate ,niversity Delaware
9echnical : .ommunity .ollege$ which also receives state funds$ is not e(empt from )O*+
1* want to be clear; the ,niversity of Delaware and Delaware -tate ,niversity are e(cellent
institutions of higher learning$ and Delaware families are fortunate to have two great in-stat
options for their children$2 said Rep &owal'o$ D-<ewar' 1+t the same time$ we as a state have
allocated more than 6# billion the past seven years to these two schools *t is inconsistent to
consider yourself a public body when it comes to receiving millions of dollars in public funds
each year$ but then turn around and say you arent a public body under )O*+ *t cant cut both
ways
1=hat were saying with this bill is that if ,D and D-, are going to receive public funds$ then
the public should have a right to e(amine their records and have access to meetings where policy
decisions are made -tate-funded schools in most states already are sub/ect to )O*+$ so this bill
/ust brings Delawares colleges in line with the vast ma/ority of public universities2
Rep &owal'o noted as an e(ample a 34## ,niversity of Delaware decision to cut mens cross-
country and trac' and field as sports and demote them to club status$ a move that was met with
surprise$ national attention and no public warning or input beforehand *f ,D was sub/ect to
)O*+$ Rep &owal'o said$ the public could have gotten answers to >uestions about the reasoning
and basis for that decision and could have been informed of the possibility sooner through open
meetings
+ccording to the <ational .onference of -tate ?egislatures$ Delaware is one of only two states
that directly e(empts ma/or universities from )O*+ re>uests
H! ""# has si( House co-sponsors and has been assigned to the House +dministration
.ommittee
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