This week marks the 150th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. In arguably Lincoln’s most memorable speech, the Gettysburg Address, he uttered the words, “that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Government is designed to protect our communities, educate our children, and keep our air and water clean.
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Read More… from Editorial: FOIA means freedom from overcharging
President and CEO, Newspaper Association of America
President Obama has routinely promised greater transparency within the federal government. Now, Congress is making strides towards achieving this critical goal.
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BB&K attorney Deb Kollars writes in PublicCEO about three pending pieces of legislation that aim to strengthen the Government Code and Political Reform Act
In the wake of various investigative reports and public scandals, three California lawmakers have proposed reform legislation aimed at providing greater transparency and accountability in government. Three separate bills, now making their way through the Legislature, aim to strengthen the Government Code and Political Reform Act, and have implications for local government agencies.
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These days, the S.C. House Republican and Democratic caucuses enjoy the use of rent-free office space in a taxpayer-funded House building on the State House grounds.
That alone would classify those caucuses as a “public body” under the state Freedom of Information Act, according to a 2006 formal opinion issued by then-S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster, who is now, by virtue of his position as lieutenant governor, the Senate president.
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Read More… from Legislative Caucuses Don’t Believe FOIA Applies to Them
Elliot Engstrom, of the Civitas Institute, writing for the Burlington Times News spotlights a real problem the General Assembly should address before it adjourns this year…that of open government, and more specifically the ineffective enforcement of the Public Records and Open Meetings laws. Elliot writes:
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Read More… from Editorial: Over the long run, government is no better than its openness
Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today filed an open government lawsuit in Rhode Island Superior Court against the Western Coventry Fire district alleging the district violated the Open Meetings Act by not timely filing meeting minutes.
The fire district posted the unofficial minutes for its Sept. 18 2014 meeting on Oct. 14 — five days after they should have posted them, the AG said in a release.
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Read More… from Rhode Island AG Files Open Government Lawsuit Against Western Coventry Fire District
An improving economy and better resources in the developing world may not equal a more open nation, according to the World Justice Project (WJP) in its report on open governments globally.
The inaugural WJP Open Government Index, which ranks more than a 100 countries based on how open their governments are, found evidence which suggested there is no link between GDP per capita and open government.
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The Florida Constitution warms your heart with these bold and fervent statements right up front in Article I:
“Every person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, or persons acting on their behalf …”
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Read More… from Editorial: Florida Legislators closing open government
Democrats, Republicans ignore US Freedom of Information Act
Freedom of information is one of the cornerstones that separate the United States from many other countries in the world. Back in 1966 President Johnson signed into law the Freedom of Information Act to clarify and protect the right of the public to information, and for other purposes. Nearly 50 years later FOIA is just as important as it was back then, but today it seems to be met with more resistance.
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Read More… from Editorial: Democrats, Republicans ignore US Freedom of Information Act
In 2004 California voters overwhelmingly amended the state Constitution to ensure public right of access to the meetings and writings of government officials.
Yet, for more than a decade, state legislators have falsely claimed that, unlike members of local government or other branches of state government, they didn't have to follow Proposition 59.
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