Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr reported Wednesday on efforts to promote understanding of the state’s open meetings and open records law, saying his office has assisted 260 citizens in the past year with getting documents and answers from government. The attorney general said in a news release that many complaints his office has mediated between […]
Read More… from Carr Vows to ‘Promote Transparent Government’ in Records Training Report
From The Marietta Daily Journal: MARIETTA — Elected leaders across Georgia have been using smartphones and iPads for city business, helping them work smarter and more efficiently, they say.
But when they tap out a message to a fellow board member during a meeting, some residents have complained that they feel locked out of a business meeting that is supposed to be open to the public.
Visit The Marietta Daily Journal for more.
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Read More… from Residents complain electronic devices close open meetings
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.
Brevard corruption case morphs into public records battle
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Read More… from NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for November 8, 2013
From Henry Daily Herald: ATLANTA — The Georgia Attorney General’s office said this week that when local officials decide to deliberate the public’s business behind closed doors — for the most part — they are not required to do so.
“When they go into executive session, they are electing to do so,” Senior Assistant Attorney General Stefan Ritter told journalists Thursday.
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Read More… from Georgia law requires open meetings, AGs office says
From Savannah Morning News:
Commissioner Helen Stone has refunded $110 after a Savannah Morning News Open Records request revealed she was reimbursed by Chatham County for using her personal vehicle to drive to campaign events — including her own re-election announcement and fundraisers.
Taxpayer funds are prohibited by law from being used for election campaigns.
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Opinion from Hyde Post, via Reporter Newspapers:
Today, Georgians legally have more power than ever to examine and review the records and meetings of their local and state governments.
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Read More… from Clearing a path to a more open government in Georgia
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:
Open meeting law needs looser definition
MASSACHUSETTS—At the risk of sounding like a geezer, I want to tell you a little about what it was like reporting on local government before there was such a thing as an open meeting law.
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From GPB News
ATLANTA—State lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday that would introduce the first major changes to the state’s open meetings and records act in a decade. It would stiffen penalties for agencies that withhold open records and boards that hold meetings in secret.
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Read More… from Georgia Senate OKs Open Records Law Overhaul
