October 15, 1984

On October 15, 1984, the Freedom of Information Act was made into law in the United States for Federal Agencies. Even though the Act says ‘free’, the Federal Agencies were allowed to charge $.15 per page for standard-size paper, $6 per 15 minutes for Clerical Staff to gather the information, $10.75 per 15 minutes for Professional Staff to gather information, and $15.50 per 15 minutes for Managerial Staff to gather information. The agencies were instructed to waive any fees that did not meet a $50 threshold. Most information requested totaled out to cost at least $51.17. Except for information on Area 51. That came out at an initial cost of $78,474.31 and the information was not guaranteed to be accurate.

About Joel Byers

Born in North Georgia and educated at some very fine public institutions. Real education started after graduating from college and then getting married and raising two boys. Has the ability to see the funny and absurd in most things and will always remark on it, even if it means getting the stink-eye from his victims.
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