From The Modesto Bee:
MODESTO — Officials seem intent on charging a steep 35 cents per page for copies of public records at Modesto City Hall, which some believe would discourage people from keeping tabs on government.
In recent years, government watchers have been charged different rates — or nothing — to obtain paper copies of city records. Access to everything from financial records to the travel expenses of elected officials is considered essential to holding public agencies accountable.