Potential Privacy Risks Trump Public Interest

If you’re interested in learning more about who your public officials are don’t head to your computer keyboard unless you’re planning to book a trip to Austin.  That’s because a committee, heavily stacked with lawmakers, say they fear that “online access” to annual financial disclosure statements might lead to “identity theft – or worse.” The disclosure information is already available in paper form at the Texas Ethics Commission’s offices in Austin and much of the information is already online at various media websites.  Ethics committee staff “had suggested that the disclosure reports be posted online” but according to the Austin American-Statesman,  the “unanimous vote of the Sunset Advisory Commission — made up of 10 legislators and two citizens” will prevent that from happening.