Opinion: Ohio Supreme Court ruling a victory for open records
From News Leader: A recent Ohio Supreme Court ruling is a reaffirmation of the need for public records to remain exactly that -- public -- unless there is a clear and compelling reason for them to remain confidential. The high court ruled unanimo ...
LSU criticized for handling of public records lawsuit
From LSU Reveille: As the lawsuit brought against the University by The Advocate and NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune moves to the next phase of the legal process, critics have lined up to attack the University’s methods of carrying on with the case. The main point of criticism has been the University’s accumulation of fees relating to the lawsuit, totaling more than $140,000 between attorney fees and penalties owed to the plaintiffs and contempt of court fines owed to the court. read more ...
Penn. state police take open-records dispute to court
From TimesOnline.com: HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania State Police are going to court to fight a state lawmaker's open-records request. State Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-32, South Union Township, has been seeking the number of troopers assigned to the Uniontown station through the state's right-to-know law since early June. The lawmaker is concerned the trooper level there is too low, and he wants to use the information to push for more police funding. read more ...
Biden’s office says charter study group broke open-meeting laws
From DelawareOnline.com: A group created by Gov. Jack Markell violated the state’s open meetings law last year when it did not keep minutes or open its meetings to the public, an Attorney General’s opinion released Tuesday said. [ ...
Government watchdog to courts: Keep Holmes documents public
From The Gazette (Colorado Springs): A Colorado group that fights for openness in public proceedings is sounding off over a recent attempt by Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes to seal documents in his case. “A heinous crime committed in a darkened movie theater that left 12 dead and hundreds injured and devastated should not result in the judicial process being shrouded in secrecy,” said Jeff Roberts, executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. “We hope the judge will deny the defendant’s request and keep our courts open to public scrutiny and accountability.” In a statement issued last ...
Newspaper says it will intervene in John Doe appeals case if records sealed
From Journal Sentinel: Madison — The Journal Sentinel will move to intervene in the appeal of a former aide to Gov. Scott Walker if anyone attempts to seal records in the case, an attorney for the newspaper wrote in a Friday letter to the ...
Alaska Supreme Court rules against fired public TV execs
From Houston Chronicle: MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The state Supreme Court on Friday ordered a judge to dismiss an open-meetings lawsuit filed by two Alabama Public Television executives fired last year in a flap that preceded a wave of resignations from the network. The justices ruled against Allan Pizzato and Pauline Howland in a decision their lawyer and a dissenting justice said would weaken the state's law requiring public bodies to meet in the open. read more ...
Georgia law requires open meetings, AGs office says
From Henry Daily Herald: ATLANTA — The Georgia Attorney General’s office said this week that when local officials decide to deliberate the public’s business behind closed doors — for the most part — they are not required to do so. “When they go into executive session, they are electing to do so,” Senior Assistant Attorney General Stefan Ritter told journalists Thursday. read more ...
NYC launches redesigned open data portal and new APIs
From Programmable Web: The New York City Government has raised the bar for open government programs everywhere by launching several brand new NYC Open Data APIs, a redesigned Open Data Portal and Developer Website. The NYC Open Data Portal now h ...
Texas AG’s office says legislative documents must be released
From Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas: Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office has ruled that a state lawmaker’s documents related to the American Legislative Exchange Council must be made public. read more ...
