From Las Vegas Review-Journal: The Legislature took big steps forward this year in improving public access to government functions and records.
But without fail, the government entities that are supposed to follow state laws mandating transparency make sure the cause of openness takes two steps back.
Visit Las Vegas Review Journal for more.
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Read More… from Editorial: Taxpayers deserve expansive transparency
From Miami Herald: WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has announced the names of the five members of a task force to examine the National Security Agency’s controversial collection of Internet and cell phone records, but privacy and open government advocates say they don’t believe the panel is likely to be very critical of the NSA program.
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Read More… from Doubts raised about independence of White House panel on NSA privacy
From Belleville News-Democrat: Only two county governments in the metro-east passed an online review from an independent group seeking more openness in governance to prevent corruption.
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The Illinois Policy Institute found 90 of the 102 counties in Illinois to be below the group’s expectations. And the group believes at least 27 counties violated state laws intended to ensure basic information was available to the public about the largest government agencies in most areas.
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Read More… from Illinois policy group says 4 metro-east counties violate open government laws
From KHASTV: Hastings, NE — There are a few new laws on the books today. As a result, local governments can’t overcharge for copies of public records. The law states that the fee can’t exceed what it costs the public agency.
As of Friday morning, the Hastings Police Department’s rates remain at $5.00 for a report or a copy of a photograph.
Visit KHASTV for more.
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From Courthouse News Service: MANHATTAN (CN) – An SEC attorney sued the Securities and Exchange Commission, claiming it retaliated for her complaints that its New York Regional Office had a policy not to go after investment managers – including Bernard Madoff.
Kathleen Furey sued the SEC for records in a federal FOIA complaint. The 19-page lawsuit includes 123 pages of attached exhibits.
Visit Courthouse News Service for more.
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From NextGov: White House Deputy Chief Technology Officer Nick Sinai posted a call for comments this week, seeking input for an updated version of the Obama administration’s National Action Plan for Open Government.
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Read More… from 3 thoughts on the White House’s last-minute call for transparency input
From Virginia Coalition for Open Government: Each year the Virginia Coalition for Open Government presents awards at our annual conference to recognize contributions to open government in Virginia. We recognize efforts made by citizens, the news media and government.
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From Stuff.co.nz: Yahoo has released its first-ever transparency report, shedding some light on the number of government data requests it receives.
The report comes amid damaging disclosures that the National Security Agency can crack the encryption of online traffic – email, medical records, online shopping and other web activities – of the world’s biggest internet companies, including Yahoo.
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From Bangor Daily News: PORTLAND, Maine — Attorneys on opposite sides of a legal dispute over public access to 911 call transcripts suggested Monday that dangerous precedents could be set if their sides did not prevail.
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Read More… from Legal dispute over public access to 911 calls reaches Maine’s highest court
From The Roanoke Times: The Virginia Coalition for Open Government has created a legislative internship in honor of the late Clifton “Chip” Woodrum, a former legislator from Roanoke who was a staunch supporter of the public’s right to observe the workings of government.
The Chip Woodrum Legislative Internship will allow a college student to gain hands-on experience during the Virginia General Assembly.
The Virginia Coalition for Open Government is a member of NFOIC. –eds
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Read More… from VCOG internship honors Roanoke legislator Clifton ‘Chip’ Woodrum
