Jennifer shared our attorney general candidate open government survey earlier today on the Coalition Facebook Page. If you haven't read it, and can access it here, please take a moment to do so.

We hope to make all voters aware of the critical role the attorney general plays in open government issues by sharing both candidates' views on the open records and meetings laws and how he will discharge these duties under the laws if elected.

We received responses from Greg Stumbo. Unfortunately, we have not received responses from Dan Cameron.

The attorney general's statutory duties, including resolving open records and meetings disputes, are often overlooked in the discussion of hot button issues like protecting children, fighting drug abuse, and honest government.

But think, for a moment, about the role of open government laws in exposing failures at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services resulting in the deaths (or near deaths) from abuse and neglect of Kentucky's children that led to the creation of the commission charged with investigating these cases and looking for better answers.

And fighting drug abuse? Think about the Boston Globe/STAT case in the Kentucky Court of Appeals that yielded access to the discovery files and exposed the Sackler family's and Purdue Pharma's misrepresentations in marketing OxyContin.

And the role of open government laws in exposing dishonest government, corruption, and official misconduct? Where do we begin!?!

The attorney general must understand that among the many hats he chooses to wear, or is required by law to wear, resolving open records and open meetings disputes is one of the most important. These laws secure the public's right to know and further his office's mission at every level.

Again, please take the time to read Greg Stumbo's responses. And when you cast your vote for the next attorney general on November 5, please give some thought to the vital role he plays in ensuring open government.