National Freedom of Information Coalition
Protecting Your Right to Open Government

Author: NFOIC

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Peter Callaghan: A bad open government ruling 14 years in the making

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From The News Tribune: I wasn’t as shocked as some last week when the state Supreme Court found that governors have a constitutional exemption from disclosing certain documents to the public.

Since I’d been denied records by a former governor who cited executive privilege, a decision backed up by a past attorney general, I assumed there was a strong likelihood the court would side with those who felt executive privilege existed.

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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for October 18, 2013

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From NFOIC:  A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.

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ACLU sues DOJ, demands to know whether suspects were placed under NSA surveillance

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From The Daily Caller: The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the Department of Justice in regards to whether a criminal suspect was placed under NSA surveillance.

On Thursday, the ACLU filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit to obtain the U.S. government policy for notifying criminal defendants that they are being monitored by the government.

Visit The Daily Caller for more.

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An invitation to learn about Florida’s sunshine laws

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From The Daytona Beach News Journal: Today’s column is about why it’s important for government to operate in the sunshine.

But before I become philosophical, let me get right to the main point: Consider this my personal invitation to you to attend the 2013 Sunshine Seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 23, hosted by Daytona State College.

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Wash. Supreme Court: Governor can claim ‘executive privilege’

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From NFOIC: In the ruling that open government groups view as a setback, the Washington state Supreme Court has ruled that constitutional separations of power gives that state's governor an "executive privilege" to withold government documents from disclosure that is broader than what might be recognized under a statutory open government law.

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NFOIC executive director discussed Colorado’s open government laws on ‘Contrary to the Public Interest’

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From NFOIC: KMGH-TV, the ABC affiliate in the greater Denver area, took a critical look at Colorado's open government laws, and transparency law enforcement in that state, in a special report called “Contrary to the Public Interest.”

ABC-7’s prize-winning investigative reporter John Ferrugia interviewed National Freedom of Information Coalition executive director Ken Bunting for the special report, which first aired Sept 29.

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Audit suggests ASU made mockery of open records law

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From WSFA.com: MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) – The preliminary forensic audit of Alabama State University was released by Gov. Robert Bentley this week, and the allegations it contains should raise the hackles of every Alabama taxpayer.

Those allegations include claims that current or former ASU trustees had conflicts of interest or relatives who received ASU funds improperly. The audit also outlines what appears to be serious mishandling and waste involving a contract between ASU and Medicaid.

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Mich. court orders city to comply with FOIA

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From Michigan Capitol Confidential: The city of Westland “subverted” Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act and must comply with the law, according to a recent judge’s ruling.

“They [Westland officials] were over charging,” said William Maze, the Livonia attorney who sued the city. “Clearly they were doing it to make a profit.”

Visit Michigan Capitol Confidential for more.

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Judicial Watch sues IRS for stonewalling on tea party FOIA

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From The Washington Times: The government watchdog Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, insisting the agency release previously demanded documents made under a Freedom of Information Act request that would clarify how conservative groups were screened for nonprofit status.

Judicial Watch filed the suit on Oct. 9 but announced it Tuesday. President Tom Fitton said in a written statement that the suit was “designed to cut through the Obama administration cover-up of its IRS scandal.”

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Press seeks better access to public records

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From Patriot Ledger: BOSTON — News media representatives lobbied a legislative committee Tuesday, hoping to relegate to history the current, often slow and expensive process of obtaining official government records.

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