By KRWG News
New Mexico – The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government has restarted its hot line for people who have been denied access to a public record or a meeting.
The toll-free hot line is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The hot line provides information and resources to citizens, journalists and public officials with concerns about transparency at the state or local level.
FOG executive director Sarah Welsh says New Mexico's laws may guarantee access to public records and open meetings, but exercising that right can require perseverance and thorough knowledge of the law.
Welsh says ordinary citizens who try to access public information often run up against a wall of legal and administrative jargon.
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The hot line number is (888) 843-9121.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.