The spending activities of a South Carolina tourism marketer that receives tax dollars are not subject to the state’s Freedom of Information Act, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. The decision reversed a lower court’s ruling that found the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce was was a public body that falls under the open records […]
Tag: south carolina open records law
S.C. Supreme Court case promises to transform open records laws
MYRTLE BEACH — Any day now, the ability to trace tax dollars in South Carolina could be curtailed. Or, some argue, the ability to market the state to tourists could be handicapped. A decision has been pending for months in a S.C. Supreme Court case concerning whether a private, nonprofit group that receives accommodations tax […]
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SC: Public outcry for transparency in police shooting investigations clashes with public records rules
In the wake of recent police shootings, the public outcry for transparency has come head to head with law enforcement agencies’ interpretation of freedom of information laws.
The statutes outline the public’s right to records produced by government agencies but also include exemptions for law enforcement records. Those are meant for such situations as protecting the identity of a confidential informant or keeping investigative techniques hidden from criminals.
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Aiken lawmaker pressuring S.C. senator to remove objection to FOIA reform bill
Four years ago, a Wagener woman requesting copies of financial records and other records from the Town of Swansea was billed nearly $10,000 for the documents.
Aiken County taxpayers seeking records about the school district’s $236 million bond referendum and other data in 2010 didn’t receive an answer until well past the November election. Continue…
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S.C. House public records bill advances
From The State:
A state House subcommitee approved a bill aimed at strengthening the state’s open records laws Thursday.
Sponsored by state Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken, the bill seeks to amend the state’s Freedom of Information Act – the law regulating public records – to curb excessive fees charged those seeking records and ensure those requests are filled in a timely manner.
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Public records reform effort faces uphill fight in S.C.
From The State:
Forty-four states require legislators to disclose who they work for. Many also require some disclosure about how much those legislators are paid by their employers.
Not South Carolina.
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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for June 8, 2012
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:
Des Moines school district says Sebring emails are public files
A Polk County district judge next week will listen to arguments regarding the release of additional personal emails sent and received on the Des Moines school district’s public account by former superintendent Nancy Sebring.
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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for May 11, 2012
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:
Is secrecy justified in George Zimmerman case?
On the very first day George Zimmerman faced a judge on charges of murdering Trayvon Martin, it appeared the special prosecutor and Zimmerman's attorney were working together to keep certain records secret.
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SC House approves strengthening open records law
From HeraldOnline:
The South Carolina House has approved a bill strengthening the state's open records law. The bill approved Thursday limits how much public bodies can charge for copies of documents and requires them to respond more quickly. An amendment also removes legislators' exemption from the law.
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