Broad reach of Virginia’s ‘working papers’ exemption unique among open records laws

Top Virginia officials frequently rely on an alternative to one of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s alleged methods of secrecy: Rather than use private emails, governors, university presidents and others hide behind state law.

The former secretary of state and presumptive Democratic presidential front-runner stepped into a thicket last week over her use of a private account to conduct official business. If she were the elected leader of Virginia or the top executive at one of the state’s public universities, it wouldn’t have mattered.

[…]

Read More… from Broad reach of Virginia’s ‘working papers’ exemption unique among open records laws

Open government leader warns against email deletion policy

Automatically deleting email after 90 days could lead to the accidental disposal of important records, the head of New York's Committee on Open Government told Capital, as the Cuomo administration presses ahead with its controversial new policy.

Robert Freeman, who has worked for the committee since it was founded in 1974, said there shouldn't be a fixed time governing when records are saved or discarded.

[…]

Read More… from Open government leader warns against email deletion policy

Editorial: A lesson in open government in Florida

They routinely attract little public attention or news coverage. Yet last week's meeting of aides to the governor and Cabinet illustrates the importance of Florida's public meetings law. Only by requiring that the public's business be conducted in public can Floridians know what elected officials are up to and assess the potential impact.
[…]

Read More… from Editorial: A lesson in open government in Florida

Open government training workshops scheduled for March | Secretary of State

The Washington State Archives has announced a series of open government training workshops throughout Washington in March in support of a state law that was introduced by the Washington State Attorney General‘s Office and passed in 2014.

The Open Government Trainings Act requires training for public officials, public disclosure officers and state-appointed records officers.

[…]

Read More… from Open government training workshops scheduled for March | Secretary of State

Subtle push against FOIA bill begins in administrative branch

Lawmakers will scramble over each other to laud transparency and open government when considering legislation to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act.

But FOIA reform often faces a difficult path toward passage as speculation mounts over its unintended consequences, sometimes stalling action on the bill by Congress. Who launches this quiet resistance against changing the nation's foremost public records law?

Federal agencies, that's who. Continue>>>
======

[…]

Read More… from Subtle push against FOIA bill begins in administrative branch

Et tu, Rick? Perry Has Own Private Email Trail

While Rick Perry has joined Republicans casting stones at Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email account while she was secretary of state, it seems the former governor is not without sin.

Perry was among the first potential 2016 presidential candidates to chime in on revelations that Clinton conducted government business entirely on a personal email account. On Tuesday morning, Perry said the findings add to a “pattern … of non-transparency” surrounding Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president in 2016.

[…]

Read More… from Et tu, Rick? Perry Has Own Private Email Trail

Open government training workshops slated for Eastern Washington

Washington State Archives has announced a series of open government training workshops in Eastern Washington this month in support of a state law introduced by the State Attorney General’s Office and passed in 2014.

#The Open Government Trainings Act requires training for public officials, public disclosure officers and state-appointed records officers.

[…]

Read More… from Open government training workshops slated for Eastern Washington

Feds Refuse to Release Documents on “Zero-Day” Security Exploits

Federal agencies served with a Freedom of Information Act request are refusing to release documents related to their purchase, use and disclosure of zero-day exploits, keeping the American public in the dark about a practice that leaves the Internet and its users less secure.

[…]

Read More… from Feds Refuse to Release Documents on “Zero-Day” Security Exploits

AP, New Mexico governor reach settlement over access to public records

Gov. Susana Martinez has agreed to release monthly reports that detail the spending of security officers who travel with her, part of an agreement reached with The Associated Press in a public records case.

Under the settlement, the governor's attorneys agreed that the information in the procurement card reports relates to public business and falls under New Mexico's Inspection of Public Records Act.

[…]

Read More… from AP, New Mexico governor reach settlement over access to public records