State Government – Page 5 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

The AP creates team of statehouse reporting specialists

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The Associated Press announced Thursday it will create “a team of state government specialists” in an effort to bolster coverage of statehouses across America.

The new team will “be a resource to our statehouse reporters looking for help broadening the scope of their reporting,” Brian Carovillano, AP’s managing editor for U.S. news, wrote in a brief Q and A accompanying the announcement. They will also work with a projects team that will turn out “ambitious enterprise” journalism on state government.

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Editorial: Maryland needs more sunshine

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Wen legislation passes the Maryland General Assembly unanimously, it usually means that it doesn't do much aside from make lawmakers look good. Such was the case with House Bill 658, which started life as an effort to make state government more transparent and was ultimately reduced to another summer study last spring.

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Lawmakers should ensure public can get information

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THE ISSUE: Freedom of Information Act; OUR OPINION: Legislature should make improvements to law a top priority

Do you believe the police should be held accountable when they shoot someone? Do you believe you have a right to know when your county or city council is considering raising your taxes? Do you believe when children die in state custody state agencies should be held accountable?

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Ken de la Bastide : Political cash reports lack transparency

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While politicians at the state and local levels pledge to bring transparency to government, a lack of campaign finance transparency emanates from the Indiana Secretary of State's office. Twice a year during every election cycle, I check with the Madison County Clerk's office and the Election Division of the Secretary of State's office to review campaign finance reports.

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Preserve transparency: Ohio Supreme Court can ensure that government operates openly

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Open-meetings laws are effective only if they actually compel public entities to conduct public business in public. That clearly is the intent, and the Olentangy school board appears to have violated the intent of the law by discussing what should have been public matters through private emails.

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Some Call FL Governor’s Transparency Efforts Cloudy

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When it comes to transparency, Florida Governor Rick Scott hasn't always been crystal clear. So says President of the First Amendment Foundation, Barbara Petersen. She says some of that stems from the governor's long history working in the private sector.

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Symposium focuses on government transparency in Georgia

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Valdosta Daily Times Editor Jim Zachary began the first in a statewide series of Open Government Symposiums with the words of Thomas Jefferson, ìInformation is the currency of democracy.î

Elected officials, city and county administrative staff, community watchdog groups, college students and journalists convened at the Center for Collaborative Journalism at Mercer University Friday.

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Common Cause promotes New Mexico Pledge

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Ever wonder where state legislatures or local politicians get funding for their campaigns and how those funds might influence the polices they create? Common Cause New Mexico Campaign Manager, Heather Ferguson met with Daily News staff Wednesday to talk about the importance of the New Mexico Pledge campaign.

Common Cause New Mexico and the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government currently have a New Mexico Pledge campaign aimed at reducing the influence of big-money interests in political campaigns. The educational campaign was launched in September.

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NFOIC FOI training proposal receives Knight Foundation grant

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News Release

October 17, 2014

Contact: Lara Dieringer, 573-882-4856, DieringerL@missouri.edu

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NFOIC FOI training project proposal receives grant from Knight Foundation

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Eighteen projects will each receive $35,000 in funding and time to test their media and information ideas as the latest recipients of grants from the Knight Prototype Fund.

The fund, which Knight launched in 2012, encourages the rapid iteration and testing of ideas while providing a support network for the creators. The recipients join a cohort of winners who get the opportunity to receive human-centered design training and to share ideas and concepts with other people experiencing similar opportunities and challenges.

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