A group of senators on Thursday briefly debated a touchy subject — whether they should prohibit themselves from using their campaign funds for personal use.
The debate happened during a meeting of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee on the Senate floor just after adjournment, prompting a complaint from Sen. Amanda F. Chase, R-Chesterfield, that holding the meeting on the floor was not transparent for the public.
[…]
In an apparent bow to critics and to increase transparency in state government decisions, the state's oil-well regulator on Wednesday proposed notifying the public and accepting comments on applications for hydraulic fracturing operations.
[…]
The first meeting this week of a special state commission on education funding has made clear that the panel has a lot to learn about government transparency and accountability.
The group flouted Maine’s open-meetings law by getting together behind closed doors. Each member of the commission could now face a hefty fine – and they should, if the public’s right to know is to stand for anything.
[…]
Read More… from Editorial: Fine would teach Maine education funding panel about open meetings law
Each exception made to Alabama’s open-meetings laws leaves the door open for another. The best option are open-meetings laws that ensure public bodies operate fully in the open.
If Sen. Gerald Dial’s proposed amendment this spring becomes law, Alabama’s universities and colleges would be able to discuss hiring top-level positions without the public’s knowledge because trustee boards could meet in secret.
[…]
Read More… from Editorial: Open meetings, secret meetings in Alabama
Commentary: In a decision filed Thursday, the New Mexico Court of Appeals held that committees appointed by public bodies must comply with the Open Meetings Act (OMA), and even when meetings are closed due to the attorney-client privilege, substantial OMA requirements still must be met.
[…]
Read More… from New Mexico: Victory for open meetings in Court of Appeals decision
Adopting a spirit perhaps befitting the first major overhaul of a public records law, six lawmakers reconciling House and Senate versions of the legislation plan to keep their meetings accessible to the public as they solicit commentary from interested parties.
The conference committee met for the first time Wednesday afternoon in a backroom off the House chamber where Rep. Peter Kocot invited advocates to share their thoughts on the differing bills (H 3858/S 2120).
[…]
Read More… from Massachusetts committee will debate public records law changes in public
We have to giggle just a little bit.
On one hand, it's amusing that a bunch of media organizations make a big deal anytime a group of leaders, lawmakers or politicians want to hole up for a meeting. Anyone who has ever been to a government meeting knows what a lonely, sleepy proposition that can be.
[…]
Read More… from Editorial: Montana Democrats did right by opening meeting
The Las Vegas Police Managers and Supervisors Association struck a blow for public union transparency Tuesday, allowing the public to attend contract negotiations for the first time. But the public didn't show up.
Besides the representatives on either side of the table at Metro headquarters on Martin Luther King Boulevard, there were only a few spectators, mostly reporters. And people attending the meeting would have had difficulty following the proceedings; talks covered esoteric subjects only insiders would understand.
[…]
Read More… from Las Vegas police union contract discussions opened to the public
Craven County Board of Education members may soon have the opportunity to participate in board meetings without being present.
On Tuesday, a new policy allowing members to remotely join in the deliberations of the board will be considered, according to a lengthy agenda in which several policy issues will be discussed. Just last month, the regularly scheduled meeting had to be canceled due to several members’ absences.
[…]
Read More… from North Carolina school board to consider remote participation but only for members
There have been quite a few accusations of government entities big and small violating Idaho’s open meeting laws recently.
That’s not a trend journalists like to see. Continue…
———————
[…]
