Denham Springs, Louisiana $24 per Hour Public Records Fee – Transparency or Barrier?

Louisiana law (R.S. 44:31) says citizens have the right to examine public records for free during regular hours. Denham Springs is now charging $24 per hour for “gathering and reviewing” requests. Is this legal, or an attempt to put a price on transparency?

Full editorial: The Price of Public Knowledge – Denham Springs’ $24 Fee Challenges Louisiana’s Transparency Duty