National Freedom of Information Coalition
Protecting Your Right to Open Government

Author: NFOIC

Profile picture of NFOIC
Website
https://nfoic.org

Posts by NFOIC

Package of government transparency bills clears Michigan House panel

Posted on

A package of bills to make the governor and Legislature subject to Michigan public record laws was reported out of a House committee in a unanimous vote Thursday, and the committee chairman said he is hopeful it will pass the full Legislature before legislators takes their summer break.

Rep. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, said the package of bills "potentially puts Michigan at the forefront for government transparency." Continue…

[…]

Read More… from Package of government transparency bills clears Michigan House panel

Wyoming: State government online transparency grade is moving up

Posted on

The online transparency of Wyoming’s state government is improving, according to a report released today by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund (PIRG).

In its sixth annual report, Following the Money 2016: How the 50 States Rate in Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data, Wyoming was recognized as having one of the five most-improved state transparency websites.​  Continue…

[…]

Read More… from Wyoming: State government online transparency grade is moving up

New FOIA amendment in Delaware could have #opendata repercussions

Posted on

An amendment has been proposed to Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act legislation, and Mark Headd, a tech exec who specializes in open government and civic access, thinks it could be problematic for open data transparency.

First, here’s what the proposed amendment says about § 10002(l)(17)a., Title 29 of the Delaware Code (the new stuff is underlined):  Continued…

[…]

Read More… from New FOIA amendment in Delaware could have #opendata repercussions

South Carolina Senator opposing FOIA bill accuses open government proponents of bullying

Posted on

One of South Carolina’s newest senators said Wednesday she is being bullied by proponents of open government.

Two months ago, Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, placed a procedural hold on a House of Representatives bill that aims to strengthen the state’s Freedom of Information Act. Continue…

—————————

[…]

Read More… from South Carolina Senator opposing FOIA bill accuses open government proponents of bullying

Finance Committee Report Place Medical Device Arrangements under Increasing Scrutiny

Posted on

Hospitals and providers participating in physician-owned distributorships, or “PODs” may be at increased risk for government investigation or enforcement. A Senate Finance Committee (SFC) Report issued this month highlights the SFC’s concerns that certain POD structures may violate fraud and abuse statutes, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, as well as the Sunshine Act.

[…]

Read More… from Finance Committee Report Place Medical Device Arrangements under Increasing Scrutiny

Missouri: Animal rights group sues MU, alleging repeated Sunshine Law violations

Posted on

An animal rights group on Monday sued the University of Missouri, alleging it violated the state’s Sunshine Law more than 200 times and charged an excessive fee of $82,222.33 for records the group requested about animals being tested for research at the School of Medicine.

[…]

Read More… from Missouri: Animal rights group sues MU, alleging repeated Sunshine Law violations

Eric Newton: Why we must champion the First Amendment in the digital age

Posted on

Today, Knight Foundation announced its largest journalism grant ever in creating the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. The institute will seek to understand and explain what First Amendment law is and should be in the digital age, but more than that, it will go to court to preserve and expand free expression.

[…]

Read More… from Eric Newton: Why we must champion the First Amendment in the digital age

AUDIO: Del. Coalition for Open Government proposes reform of LLC procedures

Posted on

A "good government" organization says Delaware needs to reform its laws that allow for creation of limited liability corporations, or LLC's.

John Flaherty with the Delaware Coalition for Open Government says current procedures leave the state open to money laundering…Continue…

—————————

[…]

Read More… from AUDIO: Del. Coalition for Open Government proposes reform of LLC procedures

How 1500+ Organizations Are Using Public Information Across Every Sector and Continent

Posted on

When you look up the weather forecast, use an app to plan your commute, or check an online ratings site to find a local doctor, you’re using open data. Open data – free public data, typically provided by governments, that anyone can use without restrictions – has become an integral part of our daily lives.

[…]

Read More… from How 1500+ Organizations Are Using Public Information Across Every Sector and Continent