A new report published by a government transparency coalition in Colorado describes the state’s open records law as “unbalanced,” saying it negatively impacts those who work for the public good by allowing custodians to impose exorbitant fees to produce public records. University of Denver law student Justin Twardowski, who compiled the report for the Colorado Freedom of […]
Bedford (TX) police chief Jeff Gibson announced Monday afternoon he is retiring after 23 years with the city. The announcement came a month after Gibson was questioned during a Sept. 22 city council work session when the mayor accused him of making false statements about the level of training officers received and of failing to […]
October 26, 2020 The National Freedom of Information Coalition will combine forces with the University of Florida’s Brechner Center for Freedom of Information in developing new programs that foster government transparency and serve state coalitions for open government. For the next year, the two organizations will bolster a relationship that has been in place since […]
At least nine times since April, the Supreme Court has issued rulings in election disputes. Or perhaps “rulings” is too generous a word for those unsigned orders, which addressed matters as consequential as absentee voting during the pandemic in Alabama, South Carolina and Texas, and the potential disenfranchisement of hundreds of thousands of people with felony convictions in Florida. Most of […]
Read More… from Missing From Supreme Court’s Election Cases: Reasons for Its Rulings
News Release For Immediate Release – October 16, 2020 Contact: Daniel Bevarly, Executive Director National Freedom of Information Coalition dbevarly@nfoic.org 352-294-7082 The members of the National Freedom of Information Coalition voted to add two new members to the organization’s board of directors during its virtual annual meeting yesterday. Valerie Lemmie, Director of Exploratory Research […]
Read More… from Two new members join NFOIC’s board of directors
Like every other human behavior, crime has consequences, and not only for victims and their families. Perpetrators eventually find out that a criminal record can be a major impediment to getting a job, housing or educational benefits. Efforts currently underway in the General Assembly to automatically expunge certain criminal records in Virginia are an attempt […]
Read More… from Editorial: Public has a right to see criminal records
Text messages between a state agency director and vendor’s representative are public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and the representative’s name “should be disclosed,” a Pulaski County circuit judge ruled Monday. “The messages reflect the performance or lack of performance of official functions because they inextricably intertwine personal and public-business matters such that […]
Read More… from Arkansas judge rules text messages in public-records dispute subject to disclosure
When overwhelmingly passed by Wisconsin voters in April, Marsy’s Law was billed as a major step forward for crime victims’ rights, but public records advocates are raising concerns that an over-interpretation of the constitutional amendment by some law enforcement agencies could curtail access to public information. Last week, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office announced it would […]
Read More… from Law enforcement, open records advocates differ on Marsy’s Law interpretation
News Release For Immediate Release – September 10, 2020 Contact: Daniel Bevarly, Executive Director National Freedom of Information Coalition dbevarly@nfoic.org 352-294-7082 Nine winning research papers have been accepted to the second National Freedom of Information Coalition FOI research competition. The papers will be presented September 30, 2020, during the NFOIC National FOI Summit […]
Read More… from NFOIC Announces Winners of 2020 FOI Research Competition
September 10, 2020 Open Position: Outreach Coordinator Description: The National Freedom of Information Coalition is seeking an outreach coordinator to support a network of state open government organizations through programs that position them for success. Candidates should have strong communication, organizational and analytical skills. A background in nonprofits, journalism or law is a plus. NFOIC was […]
Read More… from Job Opening: NFOIC is hiring an outreach coordinator
