We discussed open government in the Ethan Allen Room of the Vermont State House during the recent Digital Economy Summit (Sept. 23). His statue stood there, arm raised for recognition to speak of timeless Vermont.
I felt lonely as a grass-roots Vermonter among so many public officials and authorities contemplating their status quo. Open government is a nationwide concern and movement that we did not discuss. Is Vermont that different?
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Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed on Saturday a group of bills aimed at promoting transparency in governance and greater disclosure in political campaigns, saying existing laws on those matters are enough.
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Read More… from CA Governor Brown vetoes bills aimed at promoting transparency
Government transparency has been the focus of many news stories as of late. In this modern age of sophisticated technology, social media platforms and watchdog reporters, it is now easier than ever to keep up with the inner workings of government.
Transparency is the key to having an administration that is supported and trusted by the people it serves. At its core, transparency is important because it holds government accountable for its actions. But accountability only works if citizens are on the other side taking a look at the information provided and responding.
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Read More… from Guest Commentary: Government becoming more transparent in modern era
When asked whether he would support broadening Michigan's Freedom of Information Act laws to include his office and the Legislature, Gov. Rick Snyder told the Free Press: "As governor, it's good to have people you can talk to … when you're coming up with brainstorming ideas or thought processes, talking about difficult issues."
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Read More… from Why do governor, Legislature operate in secret?
During the legislative session and when lawmakers are not in session, the Legislatureís website at legis.sd.gov provides a wealth of information about proposed laws, committee hearings and votes. But the website is only valuable if information that the public has a right to know is made available.
Despite claims by lawmakers and state government officials that South Dakota is taking great strides toward transparency, much of what public officials and elected representatives are up to remains hidden.
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Read More… from EDITORIAL: End secrecy with lawmakers’ trips
Two years after Rhode Island revised its open records law, compliance with the new rules is spotty, enforcement is rare and a culture of indifference, ìif not outright hostility,î prevails in the state, a newly released report says.
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Read More… from Report finds noncompliance with revised R.I. open records law
Despite having a new criminal subpoena in hand, Gov. Pat Quinn's administration dragged its feet in releasing the politically-sensitive public document — a delay one expert called a gaming of the state open-records laws that 'stinks'.
On Tuesday, the governor's office finally released the federal grand jury subpoena dated Aug. 27 that sought records related to Quinn's failed Neighborhood Recovery Initiative anti-violence program, but it did so only selectively.
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Read More… from Expert: IL Gov. Quinn’s handling of request to release subpoena ‘stinks’
Today the group "Progress Michigan" plans to release documents they say shows conversations between Governor Rick Snyder's office and the Department of Corrections.
Group members say they obtained more than 100 pages through the "Freedom of Information Act." Governor Rick Snyder has been under pressure to end the state's contract with Aramark.
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Read More… from Group To Release Documents On Aramark & State Prisons Contract
Last month I received some great news. A report titled ìState Open Data Policies and Portalsî was released by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Data Innovation and ranked Oklahoma as one of the top six top-scoring states for its open data policies.
This is just the latest in a series of national recognitions of the transparency advancement for which we have spent years working toward.
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Read More… from Oklahoma transparency laws drawing national attention
When Gov. Mike Pence unveiled his new $9 million government management system, he ran down a list of ways it would make state government work better before ending with the promise that state government will also be more ìtransparent.î
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Read More… from ‘Transparent’ Indiana government often elusive
