south dakota transparency – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Did South Dakota officials skirt Open meeting laws?

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From Rapid City Journal: When Rapid City school officials heard of the dust-up over the Pledge of Allegiance in Sioux Falls, they decided to get out in front of the issue. They had an informal chat among board members, and without any public input or discussion, approved a change in practice by adding the pledge to the beginning of every student's school day.

But the change did not sit well with some freedom of information advocates.

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Editorial: A tool of transparency

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From Yankton Daily: Earlier this month, Gov. Dennis Daugaard used his weekly column to share information with citizens about moving state government toward more transparency and accessibility.

Specifically, he wrote about the launch of a new state government website that makes it easier for the public to learn about administrative rules and regulations that are proposed and implemented by various state agencies. The new website is rules.sd.gov.

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Capitol Notebook: State law protects public employees from public scrutiny

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From Aberdeen News: PIERRE — South Dakota’s laws regarding public records are in some ways good and in other ways bad, depending on what a person is trying to learn about the everyday operations within a government or public school district.

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Government records are public domain

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From AberdeenNews.com:

Look at City Attorney Adam Altman’s desk, which has stacks of folders and documents pertaining to every city department, and you likely could ask to see any of it instantly.

“The only stuff that’s tough is the stuff that takes time to assemble,” he said.

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South Dakota panel narrows focus on open government ideas

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From San Francisco Chronicle:

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A task force seeking ways to make South Dakota government more open has narrowed its focus to a list of proposals ranging from giving citizens access to crime suspects’ mug shots to making sure board and commission meetings are public.

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AG rulings favor open meetings

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From Rapid City Journal:

Chadron’s efforts to hire a city manager have extended well in to 2012 after former city manager Sandra Powell resigned in October 2011. At the most recent city council meeting, the local news media was accused of interfering in the process. It’s not the first time the issue has been brought forth.

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New SD law opens all public employee contracts

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From The Daily Republic:

A new state law will make all public employee contracts open records beginning July 1, a move some officials said is a good step toward open government in South Dakota.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed the bill on Friday. It requires the disclosure of all public employee contracts, no matter where the documents are placed.

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