Connecticut task force to hold last public hearing on FOI vs. victim privacy on Oct. 16
From CT News Junkie: A task force weighing the privacy rights of crime victims against open access to public records under the Freedom of Information Act will have its third and final public hearing Wednesday morning in the Legislative Office Buil ...
West Virginia justices to hear arguments in newspaper’s quest to get state police records
From WVAH.com: West Virginia's highest court is scheduled to weigh arguments over whether state police are required to open their records on allegations of abuse and misconduct by officers. [...] State police want to keep those details a secret. They argue releasing them would be an invasion of officers' privacy. Visit WVAH.com for more. ====== ...
Tacoma candidates less than open with Washington Coalition for Open Government
From The News Tribune: I guess I could understand one or two candidates failing to complete the questionnaire that seeks their views on open government issues facing the state. The Washington Coalition for Open Government's questionnaire is one o ...
Mass. lawmakers weighing public records bills
From The Boston Globe: BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts lawmakers are weighing bills designed to make it easier for the public to obtain state records. Among the bills are proposals to increase access to public records in an electronic format or over the Internet, rather than with paper copies. Visit The Boston Globe for more. ====== ...
Watchdog digs for info on anti-Christian Pentagon lobbyist
From World: Legal watchdog Judicial Watch has filed suit under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) demanding the U.S. Department of Defense turn over all records of communications between Pentagon officials and controversial anti-Christian activ ...
Gene Policinski: John Doe cast tests press freedom
From Portage Daily Register: The First Amendment is very clear in its 45 words that it protects a “free press” along with our rights to religious freedom, free speech and the rights to assemble and petition. But the founders, in effect, placed a responsibility on that free press in return for being the only profession named in the Bill of Rights: The news media were to be a “watchdog on government,” providing us with the facts, perspective and sometimes contrarian views that help citizens better chart the course of their government. read more ...
New Mexico Foundation for Open Government mulled kudos for Martinez, King
From Santa Fe New Mexican: Just weeks before the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government sued Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration for withholding a controversial audit report, the chairwoman of the foundation’s executive board was pitching the idea of giving Martinez — as well as Attorney General Gary King — an award for government transparency. read more ...
Hawaii’s public records: High fees are keeping public information secret
From Huffington Post: Neil Abercrombie’s job as Hawaii governor takes him around the world. Tourism meetings in Tokyo. A trade show in Los Angeles. A forum in Beijing. Those kinds of trips sound pricey. But independently reviewing the ...
Wall Street watchdog signals new hurdles for clearing brokers’ records
From Chicago Tribune: (Reuters) - Wall Street's industry-funded watchdog issued new guidance late Monday that gives arbitrators more information about their responsibilities in a process that allows securities brokers to request the removal of cus ...
Mayor files public record request against council member, seeks damages
From Cleveland.com: OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio — Mayor Robert Blomquist has filed a public records request against Councilwoman at Large Ann Marie Donegan. He is seeking emails related to a health fair for senior citizens she organized with another council member. To date, Donegan has not provided the requested emails, and Blomquist said he will seek further legal action. Visit Cleveland.com for more. ====== ...
