National Freedom of Information Coalition
Protecting Your Right to Open Government

Author: NFOIC

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

Posts by NFOIC

Court mulls revealing secret government plan to cut cell phone service

Posted on

A federal appeals court is asking the Obama administration to explain why the government should be allowed to keep secret its plan to shutter mobile phone service during "critical emergencies."

The Department of Homeland Security came up with the plan—known as Standing Operating Procedure 303—after cellular phones were used to detonate explosives targeting a London public transportation system.

[…]

Read More… from Court mulls revealing secret government plan to cut cell phone service

Tennessee Sen. Jim Tracy sends open records bill to summer study

Posted on

Legislation allowing local governments to charge fees for access to public records was pulled from debate this session for summer study designed to prepare a comprehensive open records bill.

State Sen. Jim Tracy, a Bedford County Republican who sponsored the measure, took the bill off notice recently after holding several meetings with interested groups such as Tennessee Coalition for Open Government and Tennessee Press Association.

[…]

Read More… from Tennessee Sen. Jim Tracy sends open records bill to summer study

US EPA Escapes Sanctions But Incurs Judge’s Wrath For Deficient FOIA Responses

Posted on

In a March 2, 2015 decision, Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the US District Court for the District of Columbia denied requested spoliation sanctions against US EPA but blasted the Agency for its “continued disregard” for its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) obligations and “offensively unapologetic” actions in response to claims of insufficiency.

[…]

Read More… from US EPA Escapes Sanctions But Incurs Judge’s Wrath For Deficient FOIA Responses

Lawmakers want Delaware school board meetings recorded

Posted on

Every Delaware school board will be required to record audio of meetings and post it online if the General Assembly passes a bill being considered in Dover.

Lawmakers who support the legislation and open-government advocates say recorded meetings are a way for citizens to better keep tabs on the actions of elected officials and stay updated on issues facing schools.

[…]

Read More… from Lawmakers want Delaware school board meetings recorded

Governments partner with SAP for open government and open data successes

Posted on

The Center for Technology in Government at the University at Albany, State University of New York has recently partnered with SAP to produce a research paper on opening government data.

“Open government is about a commitment to ensuring that citizens, the private sector civil society and government itself has a full understanding of what’s going on in government, so they can actively engage in the process of governing,” says Centre Director Theresa Pardo, in the video ‘Best Run Cities’.

[…]

Read More… from Governments partner with SAP for open government and open data successes

Editorial: New law promotes more open government

Posted on

Following this year's regular session of the West Virginia Legislature, there was plenty of debate about what lawmakers in Charleston did and did not do. Some saw legislation coming out of the newly Republican-controlled legislature as steps backward, while others argued that legislators pushed through badly needed bills.

[…]

Read More… from Editorial: New law promotes more open government

Denied FOIA requests shed light on phone trackers

Posted on

Chicago resident and political activist Freddy Martinez filed a second lawsuit against the Chicago Police Department in September for not responding to his Freedom of Information Act requests about how police are using cell phone trackers.

Across the country, citizens have growing concerns about the possibility of technology being used by law enforcement to invade their privacy. When pressed for more information about how law enforcement could be using potentially invasive technology, city officials have denied the requests of Martinez and other residents. 

[…]

Read More… from Denied FOIA requests shed light on phone trackers

Editorial: A citizens’ guide to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law

Posted on

Two spokespeople from the Attorney General’s Office came to the Sharon Community Center on March 26 to hold a free educational forum on the Open Meeting Law. Here is an overview of what Sharon citizens need to know:

The state’s Open Meeting Law (OML) ensures public access to the work being done by boards and commissions by requiring sufficient advanced notice of meetings, open deliberation during those meetings, and public access to those meetings, according to the attorney general’s office.

[…]

Read More… from Editorial: A citizens’ guide to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law