State Government – Page 12 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

From the editor: Open government: it’s a year-long commitment

Posted on

Sunshine Week. Open meetings. We’re all very familiar with these terms — but how much emphasis do we really place on the significance they have in our government?
Last week, March 16-22, was observed as Sunshine Week and, as we in the newspaper industry often say, shines a light on how important it is that our elected officials conduct themselves in being transparent in their roles.

We can’t take open meetings laws for granted. They were established with a goal in mind: To keep us, the people officeholders serve, informed.

[…]

Governor Cuomo Highlights Open NY for Sunshine Week

Posted on

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today honored Sunshine Week by issuing a one-year report on Open NY, an initiative aimed at increasing citizens' engagement with their government, and encouraging New Yorkers to visit the State's comprehensive data transparency website, Data.NY.Gov. The Open NY One-Year Report, which reviews accomplishments and sets the stage for the future of the initiative, is available on Data.NY.Gov.

[…]

New York State offices ignore freedom of information laws

Posted on

Break the state’s laws, and a citizen can expect anything from a speeding ticket to an arrest warrant.

But when an agency within New York’s $118 billion state government fails to follow a portion of the state’s own open-records law, it leads to a much different result: nothing.

[…]

Editorial: Open government: Ella, Dan and John

Posted on

Once upon a time, Gov. Ella T. Grasso signed into law Connecticut’s pioneering Freedom of Information Act, which established an independent Freedom of Information Commission. This state was in the forefront of the post-Watergate movement for open government. “Secrecy in government is inherently inconsistent with a true democracy,” the General Assembly declared at the time. “The people … do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for them to know.”

But that was long ago, in 1975.

[…]

Connecticut moves openly toward more data transparency

Posted on

Some state employees will soon have to move to another building — but there’s one thing they won’t be allowed to bring with them: paper.

“We’re being pretty strict that paper should not move,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Monday at an open data conference hosted by the CT Data Collaborative at Hartford Public Library.

[…]

Editorial: Rare praise for state government

Posted on

Chances are a new initiative by Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon won’t make tax time any easier, but it will be more interesting. Starting now, those who file state taxes online will have the chance to see where those tax dollars are going. A receipt will break down how much money is going to which state programs.

Concerned about public safety? You’ll find about $41.07 of every $1,000 in taxes goes toward that purpose. From pensions ($145.02) to schools ($237.44) and beyond, expenditures are detailed in both a chart and table.

[…]

In Kansas, Bills to shed light on government remain in dark

Posted on

With a deadline for bills to pass one chamber of the Legislature looming next week, there has been little action on several measures meant to create more transparency in government.

A proposal to open judicial records outlining probable cause for search and arrest warrants that initially appeared to have bipartisan support may be watered down considerably after a few prosecutors objected.

[…]

State Launches “Transparent Tennessee” Website

Posted on

Governor Bill Haslam on Thursday announced the launch of “Transparent Tennessee,” an overhaul of the state’s transparency website to offer more user-friendly information online to Tennessee taxpayers.

Transparent Tennessee is a one-stop shop for searching public data on how state dollars are spent. The site includes a searchable checkbook with more interactive data related to state agency expenses, vendor payments and travel reimbursements.

[…]

Editorial – Watson: On Presidents’ Day, Virginia’s transparency track record disgraces legacy

Posted on

More than two centuries ago, the likes of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe established the cornerstones of this great commonwealth and the United States.

They built this commonwealth and nation understanding a fundamental principle — that without transparent and open government accountable to the people, those people cannot be free.

[…]

Open Records on Pension Benefits

Posted on

It always rankles when someone elected to public office tells the people who put him there that they don't really need to know something about government.

It further rankles when people asking for information are characterized as "nosy."

But that is exactly what state Rep. Brent Yonts, D-Greenville, said last week as he explained to reporter John Cheves his plan for killing a bill that would provide more transparency about our deeply troubled state retirement system.

[…]