Open records and Old Main

Need I say that a stronger state open records law which finally covers Penn State might -- just might --improve the county's relationship with Old Main.

In particular, it should keep disputes out of court.

Penn State should have to share leases, not keep them from the county, in an open fashion. Of course now the university can keep them under wraps, sparking this latest lawsuit.

We're talking about leases that cover Medlar Field, for example. Allow me to remind Penn State officials, when they say nothing has changed since 2005 and wonder what the county is messing with, that Medlar Field is new and should be subject to fair taxation.

Sorry, but that should be the reality -- and the lease should be out in the open. Instead we have court battles over protected information.

Let's hope the Legislature, as it moves toward a stronger open records law in Pennsylvania, keeps its eyes on this taxation battle here in Centre County.