opra – National Freedom of Information Coalition

NJFOG hosts April 26 discussion on state’s open public records, meetings laws

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Want to learn more about how to make a proper OPRA request and what records you can access? Want to ensure your town better complies with public meeting rules?

Join the New Jersey Foundation for Open Government at the Cranford Community Center the evening of April 26th for a discussion of the state’s open public records and meetings laws (OPRA and OPMA). This event is being provided at no cost to attendees thanks to our sponsor, the Union County Watchdog Association (UCWA).

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What police records should be public? New Jersey Supreme Court to decide

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New Jersey's highest court is weighing whether police departments should be given broad discretion over which documents to release under the state's public records laws.

News organizations and civil liberties advocates say a decision in the case, which involves records from a police shooting requested by a media company, will have broad implications for transparency in New Jersey.

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New Jersey city admits open records violation, must pay $5K in legal fees

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The city of Bayonne, New Jersey, has admitted that it didn't clearly explain why it denied part of an open public records request and will be paying $5,000 in legal fees to resolve a lawsuit over the matter.

The city's Feb. 22 admission comes about a month after it said in an opposition brief that it "provided an appropriate and lawful response" to the request.

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Court nixes attempt to obtain records on Christie’s travel

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A New Jersey appeals court ruled in favor of Gov. Chris Christie's office Thursday in a dispute over a reporter's request for the governor's out-of-state travel expense records.

The three-judge panel held reporter Mark Lagerkvist's request exceeded the limits of New Jersey's Open Public Records Act.

Last year, Lagerkvist requested records of Christie's travel to third-party-funded events, including who paid for his travel. The records custodian said it was not specific enough and denied the request.

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How some New Jersey officials try to keep public in the dark

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We have the right to know what our government is up to. It's the law.

But public officials in New Jersey have been finding new ways to avoid complying with sunshine laws and open-government advocates fear this may have a chilling effect on holding the powerful accountable.

Among recent examples:

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GRC asked to review Bayonne’s improper use of extensions in responding to OPRA requests

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Press Release — The drafters of New Jersey's Open Public Records Act wisely required records custodians, absent a good reason, to either grant or deny access to requested records within seven business days. Without a hard deadline, records requests could be stalled indefinitely.

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New Jersey: Does An OPRA Request Constitute Harassment?

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Fair Lawn Council opposes changes to Open Public Records Act

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From NorthJersey.com:

The governing body opposed revisions to the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) over claims the legislation would make government "less effective."

An open government activist, however, contends that the borough has raised "non-issues" and "red herrings" in order to mislead the public.

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Decision on lawsuit may take months

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From Asbury Park Press:

When exactly can the information floating inside a computer be considered a “government record” that is open to public inspection? It’s a question being considered by the courts as a result of a lawsuit by the Gannett New Jersey newspapers against the small Somerset County borough of Raritan.

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Read More… from Decision on lawsuit may take months

175 OPRA requests, $45,000 charge have attorney, North Bergen at odds

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From NJ.com:

An attorney at odds politically with the township came down with a case of sticker shock when he received a $45,000 bill for the 175 Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests he filed with the township.

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Read More… from 175 OPRA requests, $45,000 charge have attorney, North Bergen at odds