Wisconsin’s new attorney general, Brad Schimel, recently contended the state’s open government laws “are outdated and do not adequately address today’s technological environment.” He promised to initiate a process to provide “clearer guidance … without reducing rights to access.”
The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, a group devoted to protecting public access to meetings and records, supports this effort. The group’s “Legislative Wish-List” calls for establishing clear rules on the use of technologies so they do not make it harder for the public to track the actions of government.
Issues surrounding records access and technology have also enjoyed the national spotlight in recent weeks as former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defended her use of a private email account for public business. Clinton cited “convenience” as her reason, which she admitted was a mistake. Continue>>>
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