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By JOE KAFKA Associated Press Writer PIERRE, S.D. (AP) A bill to make more government records open to the public in South Dakota has been killed, although 49 other states have similar laws on the books.

SB189 by Sen. Nancy Turbak Berry of Watertown started with the assumption that state and local government documents are open to the public.

Turbak Berry's bill would provide that every government record is public unless it's specifically made confidential by state law.

Opponents say the Democratic lawmaker's proposal would not do enough to safeguard disclosure of government information on private individuals and companies.

They also say they don't believe access to government records is a problem.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 02-20-08 1207CST | save this article / add to your favorites list