Government is a public trust, but should not be a blind, absolute trust. As President Harry S Truman once said, "Secrecy and a free, democratic government don't mix."

The public has a right to know how government spends public money and makes decisions. Public documents often explain expenses, processes and choices.

State and federal Freedom of Information laws dictate which categories of records are public.

The Herald-Mail has created a guide to Freedom of Information laws for Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the United States to help residents shed light -- "sunlight" -- on how government operates.