Fairfax County (Va.) increases efficiency by putting land use data online

From GovOnline:

For state and local governments, the storing and dissemination of records, information and data is an enormous but essential daily undertaking. From birth certificates to driver’s licenses and other important records, citizens, government employees and private enterprises need to be able to access the records that government agencies keep.

[…]

Read More… from Fairfax County (Va.) increases efficiency by putting land use data online

Right-to-know law challenge may head to N.H. Supreme Court

From UnionLeader.com:

LITTLETON — A New Hampshire attorney with years of experience in cases involving the state’s right-to-know law thinks the question of who should pay for records in a Littleton legal battle — the town and its police department, or a local merchant who wants the documents — presents a legal argument that’s likely headed for the state’s high court.

[…]

Read More… from Right-to-know law challenge may head to N.H. Supreme Court

Brazil 89th country to enact a freedom of information law

From National Security Archive's Unredacted blog:

On November 18, 2011, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff signed two major pieces of legislation: the Law of the Truth Commission (Lei da Comissão da Verdade) and the Law of Access to Public Information (Lei da Acesso à Informaҫão), making Brazil the 89th country in the world to enact a freedom of information law.

[…]

Read More… from Brazil 89th country to enact a freedom of information law

NFOIC’s FOI Friday for November 25, 2011 — on Wednesday, November 23

True, it's not Friday (at least at the time of this posting), but Friday (in some circles) being a state of mind, and freedom of information a right at all times, allow us to post this week's FOI Friday on this Wednesday.

And, while we're at it, Happy Thanksgiving!

Below, per usual, a few items selected from many of interest that we might not have drawn attention to earlier:

Treasury Dept. gives FOIA a technology makeover

[…]

Read More… from NFOIC’s FOI Friday for November 25, 2011 — on Wednesday, November 23

Iowa ruling clarifies who must pay legal fees in FOI suits

From Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press:

The Iowa Supreme Court recently clarified the state’s open records statute by ruling that a government agency must prove it acted in “good faith” in withholding documents if it wants to not be liable for paying attorneys fees of people who successfully challenge freedom of information decisions.

[…]

Read More… from Iowa ruling clarifies who must pay legal fees in FOI suits

FOIA complaint filed against Delaware’s Capital School District

From DoverPost.com:

Dover, Del. — The fallout continues over the Capital School District Board of Education’s decision to quietly give administrators a pay raise this past summer.

[…]

This autumn, Capital is defending itself against a Freedom of Information Act compliant levied against it in October in part because of [an] Aug. 24 meeting.

[…]

Read More… from FOIA complaint filed against Delaware’s Capital School District