Portal:Good news
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- FOIA legislation
- FOIA litigation
- Sunshine Guardians
- Online access upgrades
- Transparency advancements
Posting only to Web limits access to local information Jun 17, 2011
"There is legislation working its way through our state Senate that would allow local governments to post public notices only on their Web sites. It sounds innocent enough. But it is bad legislation that in the end will cost more and mean you will know less about what is going on in your community. For many of the poor or those in some of our more rural areas, it means you will be cut off completely from critical local information." Template:2.default
Ohio Legislature considers new plan JobsOhio, a new private agency funded by public dollars Mar 05, 2011
Columbus, OH A bill that is sure to generate some controversy in the FOIA community, JobsOhio or House Bill 1, Ohio 2011 is before committee in the House of Representatives. Governor John Kasich proposed the legislation earlier this month as an initiative to bring Jobs to Ohio. JobsOhio would be created as a private agency exempted for the most part from public records and open meetings laws. More information about Ohio's laws on private agencies receiving public funding can be found at our Private Agencies, Public Dollars page. Governor Kasich believes that working outside the public framework is necessary for economic development to happen.
Taxpayer's Right to Know Act aims to combat JobsOhio Mar 05, 2011
Columbus, OH Further developments on the privatization of the Department of Development in Ohio. House Democrats led by Representative Matt Lundy have drafted a new piece of legislation that amends the Ohio Open Records Law and Ohio Open Meetings Law to include JobsOhio by making the meetings and records of any "governing board of a corporation" that enters into a public-private partnership subject to open meetings and records requirements. A "public-private partnership" is defined as a contractual relationship between a state agency and a corporation with the intent of the corporation exercising some or all of the agencies powers, functions or duties. Both chambers of the Ohio legislature are Republican majority, so without support from across the isle this bill is not likely to pass.
Mississippi enacts law that would impose civil penalty on Open Records violators Mar 04, 2011
Jackson, MS An interesting bill was passed last week in Mississippi. Senate Bill 2289, Mississippi 2011 and House Bill 314, Mississippi 2011 combine to create civil penalty for violators of the Mississippi Public Records Act. The law targets individual members of a public body who refuse access to public records or violate public records laws in some way. Initial fine levels would be made $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second offense. Any person who denies access to a public record would be liable for a civil sum up to $100 per violation. Previous law levied a fine against the public body as a whole, which meant tax payer dollars were used from one arm of the government to another. Many states allow committees and other public bodies a legal fee to hire a lawyer to defend their actions, however as the penalty is levied against an individual this would not be allowed. [1]
Two bills strengthening open meetings and open records move forward in Wyoming House Feb 01, 2011
Cheyenne, WY Two bills intended to strengthen the Wyoming Public Meeting Law and Wyoming Sunshine Law passed the first reading in the House this week. The public records section of the bill would require existing documents to be provided within seven working days. If a request for new data or a large sampling would take longer than seven days an answer on how much longer such an undertaking would require must be submitted within a week to the requester. The open meetings section of the bill would reduce the required notification period for an emergency meeting from 24 to 12 hours. In addition lawmakers would no longer be required to record audio of executive sessions, and they may instead opt to keep traditional minutes which would still only be released with a judge's order. [2]
Montana Legislature considers public records law changes Jan 18, 2011
Helena, MT In a bill currently before the Montana House of Representatives which would modify the current Montana Public Records Act and Montana Open Meetings Law. The proposed edits mainly concern recorded meeting minutes, specifically if an official recording of a meeting is made the recording constitutes as the official record of that meeting. It must be accompanied by a written record of the date, time, place, names of the public body and who was in attendance, records of votes, substance of what was discussed and a log or time stamp for each agenda item. [3]
Accessing public information could get pricier in Texas Jan 11, 2011
HOUSTON, Texas: The cost of obtaining public information could go up in Texas if some officials and bureaucrats have their way in the 82nd legislative session which starts on Tuesday. The Houston Independent School District (HISD) along is asking lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow governments to charge citizens for public records requests before they actually deliver the requested documents. "The Houston district also wants the ability to ignore requests from anyone who still owes money from a previous records request," reports Texas Watchdog.[4] A spokesperson for HISD stated they have experienced an increase in public information requests and that the "district should be adequately compensated to reflect the time and resources we spend on complying with these requests."[4]
Transparency advocates aren't buying it. Keith Elkins, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, says that "there are fair and reasonable cost allowances already on the books."[4] Current Texas public information laws require government offices to provide requestors with an itemized statement of charges for any costs over $40.[5] The law also allows for government offices to charge for materials such as CDs and DVDs, as well as for the labor incurred while gathering the requested materials.[4]
It is unclear from the wording of HISD's legislative agenda exactly what they want to change or how much they seek to increase their fees. The agenda states:
“Allow districts to charge the actual costs for the production of all materials, including the recovery of actual costs of personnel time, to comply with open records requests. Districts should be able to require actual payment of costs prior to compliance and failure to pay after committing to pay relieves districts of any obligation to comply with additional open records requests made by that entity until past balances are paid.”[4][6]
The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas's director Keith Elkin notes that government bodies have sought to change public information law in a similar fashion in the past. “The bill is worded slightly differently each time, but the bottom line is the same: They want to make a profit from the sale of electronic copies of their records to the public.” [4]
Whether or not government bodies can hike their prices for complying with the Texas Public Information Act will be for legislators to decide in the coming session. Until then Texans can continue accessing their government at the old price.
Yoon says city records should be an open book Nov 24, 2010
"In the wake of bribery indictments against state Senator Diane Wilkerson and City Councilor Chuck Turner, Councilor at Large Sam Yoon says the city can no longer do business as usual or allow the public perception to linger that deals are brokered over restaurant lunches or in clandestine meetings away from the public eye.
Last month, Yoon introduced a resolution before the council urging Boston to post important details about the activities and composition of various committees, boards, and commissions on the city's website.
The measure, which is not binding, passed unanimously on Dec. 17." Template:2.default
Bill lets us track government money Nov 24, 2010
"Making government transparent is a popular issue in the Colorado Legislature this year, where we've had several attempts to provide taxpayers with online access to Colorado's various governments spending habits.
Our bill, House Bill 1288, places Colorado on the cutting edge of transparency in state government, and if enacted, we will join more than a dozen states nationwide that have already put state expenditures and revenues online." Read the full column here.Template:2.default
Public records should remain public Nov 24, 2010
"Oklahoma House of Representatives Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Feb. 4 postponed consideration of a bill that would allow the chief medical examiner to withhold the public release of autopsy reports.
The bill was requested by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation following the release of autopsy reports on the unsolved murder of two girls near Weleetka in 2008.
On the surface the bill sounds like a good move, however the committee should throw the bill out and not even consider closing these records to the public. When the government starts closing records to the public it opens the door for corruption. One closed record will soon be followed by another until the public no longer has the right to know the truth." Template:2.default
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VT Supreme Court rules ballots are public records Jun 07, 2012
Montpelier, VT On Friday, April 29, 2011, in a 4-1 decision, the Vermont Supreme Court issued its ruling in the case of Price v. Town of Fairlee establishing that there was sufficient public interest in election ballots that they be considered public documents. The court held that election ballots must be concealed for 90 days after the election and could then either be destroyed at the discretion of the town clerk or must be released to the public. However, the court did note that records held in a pending request could not be destroyed. [1]
Arkansas Supremes rule use-of-force reports are public records Mar 02, 2012
Little Rock, Arkansas: On Thursday, February 16 the Arkansas Supreme Court delivered its decision in Thomas v. Hall and held that police use-of-force reports fall under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and are subject to release. The original request was filed by attorney Keith Hall relating to a client who was struck by an off duty police officer. Little Rock Police Chief Stuart Thomas denied the request claiming that the reports were exempt under an exemption for employee-evaluation or job-performance records. The circuit court ruled in favor of Hall and the Supreme Court affirmed the decision. Associate Justice Robert L. Brown wrote the decision and stated, "We liberally interpret the FOIA to accomplish its broad and laudable purpose that public business be performed in an open and public manner." Chief Justice Jim Hannah concurred, writing, "Because the keeper of the requested records claiming the exemption failed to meet the burden of proof, I agree that the decision of the circuit court must be affirmed."[2] You can find a list of exemptions to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act here.
NH Supreme Court limits access to police records Nov 14, 2011
Concord, NH On Wednesday, November 2, 2011 the New Hampshire Supreme Court issued its ruling in David Montenegro v. City of Dover and affirmed the lower courts decision to exempt information on police surveillance systems under the New Hampshire Right to Know Law. The lawsuit was originally filed by Montenegro in January 2010 seeking access to information relating to the capabilities of police surveillance equipment including operation times and recording retention time. In response to the request, the city released redacted information, claiming that parts of the request were exempt under security and police exemptions. The court affirmed this interpretation, stating, "This information is of such substantive detail that it could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law by providing those who wish to engage in criminal activity with the ability to adjust their behaviors in an effort to avoid detection." The court did side with the requester on the issue of job titles and ordered the titles of security monitors to be released under the records act. [3]
VA Supreme Court exempts State Corporation Commission from open records law Nov 08, 2011
Richmond, VA On Friday, November 4, 2011 the Virginia Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Christian v. State Corporation Commission that the State Corporation Commission (SCC) was not a public body according to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The court arrived at its decision based on the numerous existing laws governing the actions of the SCC combined with the Virginia legislature's rejection of a 1995 bill to incorporate the commission into the FOIA law. The court felt that it could not override the legislatures clear wishes on the issue. [4]
Virginia law currently includes all private agencies that are "supported wholly or principally by public funds" or entities which were "created to perform delegated functions of the public body or to advise the public body". [5]
Tennessee judiciary and legislature struggle for power over the Court of Judiciary Jun 14, 2011
The Court of Judiciary is charged with investigating complaints filed against judges and determining what disciplinary action, if any, is necessary. Current law states that 10 of the 16 members are appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The proposed bill would reconstitute the Court with 12 members, all of whom would be appointed by the speakers of the House and Senate, and only 5 of whom would be judges.[6]
SCOTUS rules that corporate information does fall within the FOIA exemption for personal privacy Mar 02, 2011
Washington D.C. On March 1 the Supreme Court of the United States issued its long awaited ruling in the case of FCC v. AT&T. Overturning the decision of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Court ruled in favor of the FCC determining that, as a corporation, AT&T had no right to claim a "personal privacy exemption" to protect documents sought under the Federal Freedom of Information Act. The Court rejected AT&T's argument that because had defined "person" so as to include corporations, it had in turn defined "personal" to include corporations as well. The court found that first and foremost, "in ordinary usage, a noun and its adjective form may have meanings as disparate as any two unrelated words."[7] In addition, the court established that the term "personal" is often used to only refer to the individual and never used to refer to a corporation and is in fact more often used to refer to strictly non-business information. Firmly rejecting AT&T's argument, Chief Justice John G. Roberts felt the need to insert some judicial humor, stating at the end of the opinion, "We trust that AT&T will not take it personally."[7]
Arizona Supreme Court Rules Electronic Information Subject to Records Requests Feb 16, 2011
Tucson, AZ On October 29, 2009, the Arizona Supreme Court delivered a landmark FOIA decision in Lake v. City of Phoenix, determining that electronic "metadata", like creation dates and time stamps of electronic files, are subject to the same records laws as the documents themselves. The decision came about as a result of a public records request made by a police officer for filed performance reports.
U. of Florida ordered to make student senate meetings public Jan 20, 2011
Gainesville, FL This past week a Florida's 8th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Victor Hulslander issued a ruling ordering that the University of Florida open up student senate meetings to the public. The case originated when a UF alumni, Frank Bracco, filed suit, alleging that the University was in violation of the Florida Sunshine Law for failing to make the records of meetings of the student senate available to the public. The University argued that the records and meetings were exempt under FERPA. The court rejected this argument, siding with Bracco. The University has not announced if it is going to appeal the decision.[8]
Include your description here.
WA Supreme Court rules court records only exempt when held by the courts Jan 20, 2011
Yakima, WA' On Thursday, January 13, 2011 the Washington Supreme Court issued its ruling in the case of Yakima County v. Yakima Herald-Republic, establishing that court records held by governmental agencies do not fall under the same exemption as records held by Washington state courts. The case centered around over 2 million dollars in funds allocated for attorneys fees for the public defender of a murder trial in 2005. The Herald-Republic argued that the public had a right to the information, while Yakima County maintained that the documents were exempt as court records. The court sided with the Herald-Republic in its 9-0 decision.[9]
Iowa Association of School Boards seeks exemption for older records Jan 19, 2011
IA The Iowa Association of School Boards is considering seeking a judges ruling to exempt documents held and created by the publicly funded non-profit prior to the July 1 passage of legislation which brought the board under the public records law. The board has been involved in a number of investigations, ranging from the FBI, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Legislature's Government Oversight Committee. It seeks to exempt not only emails and information created prior to the new law but all new records pertaining to events and decisions made prior to the laws passage. While the attorney general has refused to issue an opinion, the Board hopes to take the matter to court as well as lobbying for a direct legislative exemption for the pre-law records.[10] To read more about Iowa's policy towards publicly funded private entities, and other private groups which may fall under the public records law, please see, Private agency, public dollars-Iowa.
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The fight for Gov. Perry's emails Sep 22, 2011
Perry's office has stopped deleting e-mails every seven days as a result of Washburn's efforts. Many have said that the policy is bad for transparency, including the Texas Freedom of Information Foundation.[1] Washburn has states he's going to attempt to archive one years worth of the governor's e-mails, but must raise over $62,000 to do it.[2]
However, after the first weeks of requests in 2011, the price for Perry's e-mails have increased dramatically. In 2007 it took 31.5 man hours to fulfill a request for a weeks worth of e-mails. The cost totalled to $568.[3] In 2011, the request stated it would take 109 man hours to complete and would cost a total of $2,304.[4]'
John Washburn, a 45-year-old computer software tester from Wisconsin, was disgusted. He found Governor Perry's policy of deleting nearly all of his emails every seven days to be "obnoxiously short," and was not about to stand for it.[5]
In response to the policy, Washburn developed a computer program that requests all emails sent to and from the Governor's office every four days. The first batch yielded over 8,000 emails, which Washburn promptly put up online.
Oregon Attorney General releases 2010 transparency report Oct 14, 2010
Salem, OR On October 7, 2010, Oregon Attorney General John Kroger released his 2010 transparency report, which was compiled from a series of open meetings and public records open forums the Attorney General held over the past year. To read the full report, please see, 2010 Oregon Government Transparency Report.
Wisconsin AG on statewide tour to talk of the seriousness of FOIA Oct 04, 2010
MILWAUKEE, WI Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen was on the last stop of his statewide tour talking on the issue of compliance with Wisconsin’s Open Records Laws.
During a seminar at the Milwaukee State Office Building on September 27, 2010, the fourth-year Attorney General and a team of FOIA experts talked about the seriousness of complying with FOIA laws in Wisconsin.
MO Treasurer launches online records request form Aug 27, 2010
Jefferson City, MO This past week, Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel announced that his office will begin employing an online Sunshine request application for any records requests citizens may want to submit to his department. Zwiefel explained the new portal, telling the press, "This new online application allows individuals in Missouri to obtain information from my office quickly and easily from their home computer. Gone is the need to send in a slow paper request or search for the needed language. It is all right there in the online request form.”[6]
The request form can be found at www.treasurer.mo.gov/Sunshine/SunshineLawRequest.aspx.
Missouri Auditor finds problems with a quarter of governmental entities evaluated Jun 04, 2010
Jefferson City, Missouri This past week the Missouri State Auditor, Susan Montee, released a report detailing the failings of numerous state and local agencies to comply with open meetings laws. Montee audited over 350 agencies and found at least 59 violations, ranging open meetings access problems to public records issues relating to meetings. [7]
New interactive Texas budget project Nov 02, 2009
The Texas Legislative Budget Board's budget plan is available online in a very large PDF document, but this being the only form of the budget making examining the budget difficult. It is not in a machine-readable format nor is it open for programming applications by the public.
The LBJ School has taken on a project to make the budget as interactive and informative as possible. The school has put the President’s budge as well as the state level. They have included of the appropriations process and specific budget mark-ups on the budget project.
Some team members who have worked the Texas side of the project focused on this proposed legislation. Other members built support from other state officials and interest groups.[8] Template:2.default
Montana group monitors spending vote-for-vote Oct 07, 2009
Montanans in Action's Legistats keeps a updated total of votes by legislators in Montana and gives them grades based on the record. The site provides a lot of detail, so much that visitors can click on a representative to a breakdown by category of spending, and then see each bill that he or she voted on.
The site ranks votes against expensive legislation higher, raising representatives' rankings. The highest ranking senator on the website, Joe Balyeat, comes in at -$366,738,633, having voted to cut spending. The senator in last place, Kim Gillan, voted to spend a lot of tax dollars, scoring $426,657,163. Template:2.default
U. of Wis. quietly scraps risky lab equipment Sep 18, 2009
"The University of Wisconsin-Madison has quietly decided to stop manufacturing its signature aerosol chambers used for researching infectious disease, which were involved in a few dangerous lab accidents nationwide, including one in Seattle in 2004.
The College of Engineering is shutting down the business after an internal audit found it was poorly managed and carried the potential for huge liability costs in the event the chambers failed, exposing researchers to toxic agents." Template:2.default
Editorial: State lags on open records access Sep 18, 2009
"Elected officials and people who are running for those offices routinely file statements of economic interest, which are designed to ensure they don't have conflicts of interest or are in a position to use their public offices for private gain.
In 42 states any citizen can read those statements, no questions asked. In Wisconsin, you have to identify yourself — and the state will then send a notice to the official or candidate to let them know you saw the information." Template:2.default
Council member seeks Wausau city attorney e-mails Sep 18, 2009
Council member seeks Wausau city attorney e-mails
Alderman Tom Miller, a Wausau city council member, is seeking 4 years worth of retired City Attorney Bill Nagle's e-mails.[9]
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Massachusetts think tank reveals new transparency websites Aug 31, 2011
MassOpenBooks.org is an online tool where visitors can get data on state disbursements, state employees’ salaries and retiree pensions.
The site is sponsored by the Shamie Center for Better Government at Pioneer Institute.
It's a reference and discussion for people to find out what state employees’ make, who is getting what kind of pension and payments made by government agencies to businesses and people. It will be possible to obtain data from specific people or departments, or make comparisons.
The data used in this website are public records obtained from the State Comptroller’s Office and the State Retirement Board.[1]
MassReportCards.org is a tool for district and school ratings that allows superintendents, parents and students see how their school ranks in the state.
It allows people to compare schools with other schools from across Massachusetts and rate them oneself.
It was designed for parents seeking better educational choices for their children, teachers and administrators who want to know how their school stacks up, researchers looking for hard data, and every citizen watching their tax dollars.[2] Template:2.default
Buckeye Institute launches transparency project Dec 07, 2010
All candidates for elective office at all levels of government throughout the state will be receiving a Pledge for Transparency and Accountability in Government. It asks the candidate to acknowledge the importance of the following:
- internet availability
- the legal basis of transparency in state and federal constitutions
- the use of practical, current technologies such as searchable databases
Louisville launches spending transparency site Dec 03, 2010
At this time, the financial information on the site only goes through June 30, the end of the last full city fiscal year. The city will update the information only at the end of each new fiscal year.
By an ordinance passed by the Louisville Metro Council last spring, the website was required to be set up by September 30, 2009.
The city spent about $5,000 to set up the website. Steve Haag, spokesman for the Republican council minority caucus, said the city put the website in the advisory hands of the metro information technology staff. The money came from the discretionary accounts of council members Ken Fleming, R-7th District, and Hal Heiner, R-19th, the primary sponsors of the ordinance. Template:2.default
Buckeye Institute posts database of OSU employees making over $250k Nov 24, 2010
Buckeye Institute President David Hansen explained the project, "Ohio State's hiring of outgoing Democrat State Rep. Joyce Beatty to a loosely defined post reportedly earning $320,000 a year piqued our interest. We discovered this type of salary, while on the extreme high end in academia, is commonplace at Ohio State."
Transparency center director Mike Maurer added, "Ohio State pays 154 employees at least $250,000 a year, with university president E. Gordon Gee topping the list at $775,000 a year. Our goal is to increase taxpayer awareness of public expenditures, including salaries. Taxpayers want a complete picture of government funding and expenditures. The Buckeye Institute will collect and provide it online in an easily accessible format."[3]
Category:Watchdog May 14, 2010
Template:2.defaultOregon House Bill 2500 Feb 05, 2010
The state legislature gave its final approval to the measure the morning of June 29, 2009 and this House Bill 2500 is a bi-partisan effort of a group of lawmakers. The group includes State Representatives Arnie Roblan, Jefferson Smith, Kim Thatcher, and Gene Whisnant. The measure is on its way to the Governor’s Desk. [4]
Oregonians will be able to watch where their tax dollars are allocated online. Though the state already provides public contracts, employee salaries, audits and other data online, it is buried deep within the files and pages of its website.
The movement will not open the information gates wider, the same accessible information will now be more easily accessible and online.[4]
Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal Jan 22, 2010
The new website, or portal, would include searchable information about state expenditures, tax credits, contracts, and the salaries of all state employees.[5]
Nevada News Bureau says state transparency site needs improvement Nov 02, 2009
Eighteen months have passed since Gov. Jim Gibbons issued an executive order requiring the state’s financial information to be posted on an easily searchable website for the public.
Nevada’s transparency website has been up and accessible since January. However, the only content available so far is budget and spending information for fiscal years 2006 to 2008. It now includes the 2009-11 legislatively approved budget.
As of early November 2009, the website have a searchable database and taxpayers can delve into detail showing actual payments to vendors, State Budget Director Andrew Clinger said said. Citizens can search by vendor name or by agency.
However, financial data is still being loaded into the system for fiscal year 2009, which ended June 30, as well as for the current 2010 budget year. The site is supposed to have the current budget and spending information by the end of October. The information will supposedly be updated nightly, Clinger said. After it reaches this step in development, Clinger said Nevada’s site will be about 70 percent complete. It will be missing data on contracts between state agencies and other entities as well as details of the state payroll is also a work in progress.[4] Template:2.default
Oklahomans for Responsible Government call for improved transparency website Oct 30, 2009
When Oklahoma Open Books launched two years ago, it was one of the first websites devoted to state government transparency. The website tracks the overall spending of state agencies as well as their specific expenditures. In addition, the website lists the state payroll, state grants, and state contracts. [6]
Since Open Books launched, many other states have followed suit with their own government transparency websites. A critic from the OFRP, Peter Rudy, says that Oklahoma's website has fallen behind other states. Rudy notes that the website fails to disclose the travel expenses of individual employees, does not contain a check register, and does not track the reception of federal stimulus money.[7]Template:2.default
Delaware think tank launches school transparency website Oct 29, 2009
The website contains budget data and performance measures for Delaware's K-12 public schools. It is accumulated for policymakers, school administrators, teachers, school board members, taxpayers and parents to access. One can search current and historical information for each of Delaware's 19 school districts. One can compare up to five school districts at a time.
The site only has only school district information, but it will be expanded to included school-level data.
The data on this website is directly from the State of Delaware Department of Education website. SunlightOnSchools.org is modeled after the North Dakota Policy Council's SunshineOnSchools.org, which had previously been emulated by the Montana Policy Institute, which hosts SchoolsOpenMT.org.[4] Template:2.default
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Massachusetts think tank reveals new transparency websites Aug 31, 2011
MassOpenBooks.org is an online tool where visitors can get data on state disbursements, state employees’ salaries and retiree pensions.
The site is sponsored by the Shamie Center for Better Government at Pioneer Institute.
It's a reference and discussion for people to find out what state employees’ make, who is getting what kind of pension and payments made by government agencies to businesses and people. It will be possible to obtain data from specific people or departments, or make comparisons.
The data used in this website are public records obtained from the State Comptroller’s Office and the State Retirement Board.[1]
MassReportCards.org is a tool for district and school ratings that allows superintendents, parents and students see how their school ranks in the state.
It allows people to compare schools with other schools from across Massachusetts and rate them oneself.
It was designed for parents seeking better educational choices for their children, teachers and administrators who want to know how their school stacks up, researchers looking for hard data, and every citizen watching their tax dollars.[2] Template:2.default
National Association of Counties Jan 10, 2011
- Main article: National government sector lobbying
The National Association of Counties had a registered lobbyist for lobbying the federal government.[3]
U.S. Conference of Mayors Jan 10, 2011
The stated goals[4] of the U.S. Conference of Mayors are to
- Promote the development of effective national urban/suburban policy;
- Strengthen federal-city relationships;
- Ensure that federal policy meets urban needs;
- Provide mayors with leadership and management tools; and
- Create a forum in which mayors can share ideas and information.
The conference also aims to create a strong business community in cities by promoting public-private partnerships for strengthening the economy[5].
Louisville launches spending transparency site Dec 03, 2010
At this time, the financial information on the site only goes through June 30, the end of the last full city fiscal year. The city will update the information only at the end of each new fiscal year.
By an ordinance passed by the Louisville Metro Council last spring, the website was required to be set up by September 30, 2009.
The city spent about $5,000 to set up the website. Steve Haag, spokesman for the Republican council minority caucus, said the city put the website in the advisory hands of the metro information technology staff. The money came from the discretionary accounts of council members Ken Fleming, R-7th District, and Hal Heiner, R-19th, the primary sponsors of the ordinance. Template:2.default
Judge: State violated Right-to-Know Law in ATV park case Nov 24, 2010
"A citizen's dogged pursuit of information being withheld by a state agency was recently justified when a judge ruled that state officials knowingly violated the Right-to-Know Law.
Records related to the state purchase of land for an ATV park were improperly kept secret when Fitzwilliam resident Andrew Walters was denied access to the documents, a superior court judge ruled last month." Template:2.default
Governor signs Textbook Transparency Act Nov 24, 2010
In an attempt to alleviate some of the ever rising cost of education, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed into law the Textbook Transparency Act (House Bill 2048). Originally proposed by Rep. Jake Zimmerman (D- Olivette), the Act aims to force textbook publishers to disclose their wholesale prices to professors, thus allowing them to decide if a more expensive textbook is worth purchase or not. Also aiding in this decision, the Act requires professors to be informed of the content difference between a new edition and its previous one. [6]
University of Missouri student lobbyist Craig Stevenson said, “The perception is that professors have been left in the dark about how much a book is sold for. Publishing companies make the pitch on the books that they will make the most money from.” All of the publishing companies declined to comment. [7]
Jobs group will show records; officials want to see how county funds were spent Nov 24, 2010
"Leaders of Rowan Jobs Initiative have reversed course and decided to provide county officials with records covering the four years the nonprofit organization has existed.
Earlier this month, top officials of Rowan Jobs refused to provide copies of minutes and other records. Instead, they offered to meet with commissioners one at a time and allow them to review some records." Template:2.default
Sunlight in Illinois school districts Nov 24, 2010
SB 2270 is sponsored by Daniel Cronin, Kirk Dillard, Chris Lauzen, and John Millner in the Senate. It is sponsored by Sandra M. Pihos, Patricia R. Bellock, Sandy Cole, Renée Kosel, Jack D. Franks, Keith Farnham and Linda Chapa LaVia in the House. The bill will require every school district to post on its website a “compensation report” for all administrative officials in the district, including salaries, benefits, pension contributions and bonuses.[8] Template:2.default
Times-Dispatch Freedom of Information reporting Nov 24, 2010
"Some of the most exciting writing we do here in the Richmond Times-Dispatch newsroom never gets published.
It reads like this: "This is a request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act . . . ."
With those words, we recently found out that:
- The Virginia State Police need 600 more troopers, investigators, and supervisors.
- Richmond police spent $11,586 on security for Mayor Dwight C. Jones during President Barack Obama's inauguration.
- Richmond officials couldn't say how many officials drive city-owned cars home.
- Virginia Commonwealth University officials decided, in their own words, to be "very flexible" in awarding then-Richmond Police Chief Rodney D. Monroe a degree when he had far fewer VCU credits than the school required of other students -- and the police department paid $15,937 in tuition fees for that degree."
Alaska state campaign funding limits are sought Nov 24, 2010
A Fairbanks group, Clean Team Alaska, is supporting a ballot initiative bill that would outlaw campaign donations from unions and other government sector lobbying groups to take affect in 2010 in Alaska. The Anti-Corruption Act is an attempt to minimize conflicts of interest involved in spending public funds. The website promoting the bill says it would "clean up the backroom deals in government contracting and get the government out of the business of lobbying and funding of partisan activity."
Dick Randolph chairs Clean Team Alaska and Mike Prax is working on supporting the bill.
"We have got a challenge, I think," Prax said. "We seem to have corruption cases all the time. It just keeps coming back, coming back."
With regards to connecting union campaign donations and corruption, Prax said, "It’s a matter of opinion. Is that business as usual, or is it a system that’s broken?"[9]
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