Oakland County is assisting local police departments with creating websites that will feature public information involving traffic stops, citations, arrests, and use of force data on a more accessible platform. The project is a partnership between the Oakland County Executive’s Office, the Courts and Law Enforcement Management Information Systems (CLEMIS), and Altovista Technology, who will build and maintain […]
Read More… from Oakland County police departments to launch transparency websites
More than 150 organizations have signed a statement to state, tribal and local public institutions voicing concerns about transparency and access to meetings and records as these institutions respond to the Coronavirus emergency and continue their administrative deliberations. Organizations representing diverse constituencies and political ideologies have joined together to advise these governing bodies that real time […]
Read More… from 150 Organizations Sign Statement on Government Coronavirus Emergency Transparency
For Immediate Release Contact: Daniel Bevarly Executive Director, NFOIC dbevarly@nfoic.org 352-294-7082 NFOIC reveals pilot project results looking at 2019 state transparency bills nationwide The National Freedom of Information Coalition is pleased to announce the publication of its latest research, “Legislating Open Government: The Prevalence of Transparency-Related Language in 2019 State Legislative Bills.” The report is […]
Read More… from News Release – NFOIC study looks at 2019 state transparency bills
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ promise to create a new Transparency Officer is a step closer to going before the Atlanta City Council for a vote. Legislation that represented a collaboration between the Mayor, the City Council and local media outlets was approved unanimously by the Finance/Executive Committee. “There is no city in the state of […]
Read More… from Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms’ Transparency Officer Legislation Moves Forward
“Sunshine is the best disinfectant,” state Rep. Weston Newton said.
Newton’s comments came this week after the state Legislature voted to amend South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act.
The Bluffton Republican said he is “delighted” that some much-needed changes have been made.
“We’ve been working on this for a number of years,” Newton said.
The act outlines how public bodies, such as state and local governments and school districts, comply with records requests from the public.
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Read More… from S.C. Legislator: ‘Without transparency, there is no accountability’
A strong bipartisan majority of Colorado legislators came together during the 2017 legislative session to pass HB 1313 – Civil Forfeiture Reform.
The bill, which adds necessary transparency and due process protections to the asset forfeiture practices of Colorado law enforcement, passed out of both chambers by a combined 81-19 vote and is awaiting signature by Gov. John Hickenlooper.
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Read More… from Guest Column: In support of transparency and due process in Colorado
Oregon state government, agencies and commissions are shelling out hundreds millions of dollars to public relations firms. Eighty-seven state agencies spent $278 million dollars to convince taxpayers to spend more taxpayer dollars on bigger government, higher taxes – and more regulations from 2012 through 2016.
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Read More… from Oregon State Government’s $278 Million Self-Promotion ‘PR’ Machine
It took a liberal policy group, ProgressVA, to accomplish through public shaming what good-government advocates in Virginia have failed to accomplish over the years through reasoned arguments and rational discussions: force the Virginia General Assembly to take action that opens up the legislative process.
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Read More… from Virginia’s baby steps toward transparency (editorial)
The Virginia General Assembly will stream some committee meetings over the Internet next session, a milestone for a body that has resisted this sort of technology.
The Senate announced its plan Thursday to stream from two main committee rooms next year, and the House followed up with an announcement from Speaker of the House William Howell that the chamber has worked toward committee streaming "without fanfare for the last several months."
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Read More… from Virginia House, Senate to stream some meetings
The Florida First Amendment Foundation worked hard throughout Florida's legislative session to advocate for open government and freedom of information. They just released their final report for the 2017 session, which can be found with their weekly reports.
The reports can be found here.
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Read More… from Florida First Amendment Foundation 2017 Legislative Review
