LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Just one day after filing a lawsuit, the committee that has been pushing to enshrine the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws in the state constitution got the go-ahead to gather the necessary signatures.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin approved the language of the "Arkansas Government Disclosure Amendment."
Attorney General Tim Griffin had rejected two previous drafts, which prompted the committee to appeal to the state supreme court. Though that case appears moot.
The backers will need to gather over 90,000 signatures by July in order to get on the November ballot.
Griffin explained that the FOIA opinions issued were drafted more than a week ago and have been working their way through a review process that follows the standard timeline.
"Today, I saw them for the first time and approved. Regardless of the timing, it is illegal for us to negotiate for a particular opinion result or consider external factors or my personal opinion. We follow the law each and every time," added Attorney General Tim Griffin.