State Government – Page 4 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Hawaii Monitor: Wanted — Good Home for Government Watchdog

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The Office of Information Practices, the agency responsible for making sure state officials and agencies are complying with open meeting and public records requirements of state law, is looking for a new home.

Top on the wish list seems to be an administrative base where OIP can enjoy independence from undue political interference, and also minimize the inevitable conflicts that come from being part of state government while at the same time trying to hold state agencies and departments accountable.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf fires open records director and recalls Corbett’s nominations

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So much for a honeymoon.

On his second day in office, Gov. Wolf rescinded more than two dozen eleventh-hour appointments by his predecessor – firing the state's new open records officer, canceling judicial nominations, and effectively booting the former lieutenant governor from Temple University's board of trustees.

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Editorial: Public notices are crucial to maintain an open government

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When governments create or authorize state and local agencies to create new programs, they typically require some measure of public disclosure as a form of public oversight and to make agencies accountable.

As far back as 1789, during the first American Congress, that accountability has come in the form of public notices in independently-published newspapers. Actions of the congress were ordered to be published in three separate newspapers to ensure wide circulation.

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L.A. County supervisors OK creation of open-data website

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The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took a large step Tuesday toward joining the growing "open data" movement of making government statistics readily available to anyone with a computer and Internet connection.

Supervisors authorized creation of a website to be a "one-stop shop" for information on budgets, crime statistics, welfare and the like that could be used and redistributed without any legal, social or technological limitations.

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EDITORIAL: Open government isn’t just a talking point

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Modern-day candidates and politicians talk a good game about transparency, open government and public consultation.

Part of our job is to make sure they aren't blowing smoke.

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Editorial: state government: More transparency

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A good government is one that responds to the wishes of the public. But the public cannot know how responsive its government is when much of what government does lies outside public view. Hence the need for transparency, the handmaiden of accountability.

A new coalition, Transparency Virginia, has been formed to monitor and improve openness at the state level. It will focus on the sometimes overlooked mechanics: meeting notices, ensuring that all bills get heard, and the recording of votes in committees and subcommittees.

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“We Vote Project” Urges Transparency In Nebraska State Government

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The "We Vote" project wants your voice to be heard at the Capitol. It's their goal to create a more transparent government and let the public weigh in on legislative bills.

The group held a seminar Saturday to get the word out on how their website will make it easier for you to keep track of your state government.

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Editorial: Florida Gov. Rick Scott should embrace openness rather than secrecy

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The spotlight turns on Tallahassee today as Gov. Rick Scott is sworn in for a second term, and there will be optimistic speeches and pronouncements about the Sunshine State's bright future. Yet the governor and the Legislature have driven state government into the darkness with their disregard for public records and brazen attempts to keep public business secret. If this is a day of fresh starts, then Scott and legislative leaders should pledge to honor Florida's commitment to government in the sunshine instead of fighting it at every turn.

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Bill would require release of autopsy reports related to cause of death cases

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A bill set for action early next year in the state Senate would require coroners to release autopsy reports related to the cause of death in cases such as that of Tucker Hipps, the Clemson student who died during a fraternity run in September.

State Sen. Larry Martin said he pre-filed the bill in response to a state Supreme Court ruling that came out after the legislative session ended last summer that found that autopsy reports are "medical records" and thus exempt from disclosure under the state's Freedom of Information Act.

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2015 resolution: Learn Ohio Sunshine Laws

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When making New Year’s resolutions for 2015, be sure to add learning about Ohio’s Sunshine Laws.

The Sunshine Laws appropriately refer to the rules and regulations for public bodies when conducting public meetings, as well as the public records laws.

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