NFOIC – Page 400 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

EDITORIAL: Making police logs public a start

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Gov. Dennis Daugaard has pledged to make state government more open to the public and last year his Open Government Task Force submitted eight bills in the 2013 legislative session. The Legislature rejected five of the proposed laws.

One of the proposed laws was one that would make police logs and criminal booking photos public. Sen. Craig Tieszen, R-S.D., has introduced a revised bill this year that would change state law to require law enforcement agencies to release police logs to the public.

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First Amendment Coalition: California Open Government Roundup

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A bill to strengthen the Brown Act, California’s open government law is proceeding in the state legislature. The bill adds to the reasons a district attorney or citizen can petition to void a government act for failure to provide adequate opportunity for public participation. It also provides for higher fines for public officials who try to prevent public access. (Cal Watchdog, January 16, 2014, by Katy Grimes)

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Corporate Incentives: Website Ranks States Transparency

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All but four states now post at least partial information online showing which companies are receiving economic development subsidies. But the quality and depth of that disclosure varies widely, both among and within states. Three-fourths of major state development programs still fail to disclose actual jobs created or workers trained, and only one in eleven discloses wages actually paid. The best disclosure practices are found in Illinois and Michigan, but even their scores would be near-failing as report card grades.

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Rachel Marsden: Transparency must accompany financial oversight

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On the occasion of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address this week, marking five years since he was sworn into office with the stated primary objective of turning around the post-crisis domestic economy, it’s worth asking: Is America safe from another economic crisis?

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Still without a records officer, N.Y. Mayor de Blasio doesn’t seem so ‘open’

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One of the city’s biggest open-government advocates isn’t heeding his own advice — and he’s the mayor. Nearly a month into his administration, Mayor de Blasio has yet to appoint a records officer to handle requests for public information from citizens and the media.

The lack of urgency in setting up shop contrasts sharply with de Blasio’s position as public advocate, where he released a 29-page paper berating city agencies for ignoring public-access laws.

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Maine panel wary of boosting power of state ombudsman in document fights

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NFOIC state affiliate Maine Freedom of Information Coalition is helping to drive this effort:

Lawmakers are treading carefully as they consider a request to grant investigative and enforcement powers to the state official who mediates disputes over access to government records and meetings.

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Washington State Speaker Chopp protects public’s right to know

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NFOIC state affiliate Washington Coalition for Open Government‘s presented Speaker of the House Frank Chopp with its highest award Tuesday evening. The Ballard Thompson Award is given to the state legislator who demonstrated the most “outstanding dedication to the cause of open government” the previous legislative session.

The Olympian newspaper explains why:

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City officials may be financially liable in open meetings lawsuit

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Clinton city (IA) officials and former city officials involved in a lawsuit filed by a citizen’s group over closed meeting records are being advised they could be personally liable if there are any penalties or attorney’s fees levied in the case.

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Mayoral Candidates Answer Transparency Questions

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San Diego mayoral candidates Kevin Faulconer and David Alvarez responded to 11 questions submitted by KPBS listeners and readers through the Public Insight Network.

The Public Insight Network is a national tool managed by American Public Media that gives news outlets a way to find sources, survey and connect with their audiences. More than 40 questions were submitted by KPBS listeners and readers, and KPBS staff selected the most relevant ones.

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New Mexico legislator seeks rules change on webcasts

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Rep, Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, said he will introduce legislation to expand webcasting of legislative committee hearings in an effort to improve the transparency of the Legislature. One rule change would require that all webcasts of committee meetings during the legislative session be archived. Session webcasts can now only be watched live.

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Author: NFOIC

Posts by NFOIC

EDITORIAL: Making police logs public a start

First Amendment Coalition: California Open Government Roundup

Corporate Incentives: Website Ranks States Transparency

Rachel Marsden: Transparency must accompany financial oversight

Still without a records officer, N.Y. Mayor de Blasio doesn’t seem so ‘open’

Maine panel wary of boosting power of state ombudsman in document fights

Washington State Speaker Chopp protects public’s right to know

City officials may be financially liable in open meetings lawsuit

Mayoral Candidates Answer Transparency Questions

New Mexico legislator seeks rules change on webcasts