california open government – Page 3 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

SF sunshine panel applicants sought

Posted on May 24, 2013

San Francisco’s Sunshine Ordinance Task Force has vacancies for an attorney and a journalist, both of whom must be nominated by the Society of Professional Journalists, Northern California Chapter.

The task force comprises 11 voting and two ex-officio non-voting members. The voting members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors and, under Sunshine Ordinance Sec. 67.30(a), “must have experience and/or demonstrated interest in the issues of citizen access and participation in local government.”

…

NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for May 3, 2013

Posted on May 3, 2013

A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.

Blackfoot woman receives Idaho open government award

…

Frye leaves city job to lead statewide open gov’t effort

Posted on April 5, 2013

From FOX 5:

SAN DIEGO — Former Councilwoman Donna Frye, whose appointment in Mayor Bob Filner’s administration caused concerns about conflicts over pension policies, has left her city job to lead a nonprofit focused on open government and First Amendment rights, the mayor’s office announced.

…

More

Urban activists hack their way toward open government

Posted on April 4, 2013

From arstechnica.com:

…

Pensions, lawsuits, gifts revealed on new city hall site for Sunshine Week

Posted on March 18, 2013

From KPBS:

Marking Sunshine Week in San Diego, Mayor Bob Filner on Thursday unveiled a new section of the city website that makes good on his promise for open government—putting in one place information on the pensions being paid city retirees as well as all lawsuits involving City Hall.

With his open-government chief Donna Frye standing beside him, he displayed what Frye called one of the most transparent city sites in the state, if not the nation.

…

More

California transparency and open government movement finds its roots in Brown Act

Posted on March 15, 2013

From California Forward:

In the early 1950s, Ralph Brown, a California state assemblyman and lawyer from Modesto, was negotiating a deal between nurses and management at a local hospital. The hospital directors reneged behind closed doors at the last minute, tanking the entire negotiation.

[…]

…

More

For Sunshine Week, California watchdogs get a free open government guide

Posted on March 15, 2013

From MMDNewsWire.com:

As national Sunshine Week begins, Californians interested in using their laws to keep an eye on city hall and other local and state public agencies can get a free 50-page how-to guide from the state's premier open government resource center.

…

More

Public Records: $60,000 penalty puts access at risk

Posted on December 4, 2012

From The Press-Enterprise:

When the publisher of a small-town newspaper north of Sacramento made a public records request to learn more about spending done by school officials, he had no idea it would threaten the existence of the Sacramento Valley Mirror.

…

More

Oakland Council candidates asked to sign ‘open government’ pledge

Posted on November 5, 2012

From Oakland Local:

…

Gilroy public will run the open government commission now, not council

Posted on September 24, 2012

From Gilroy Dispatch:

City Council is preparing to change the dynamics of their open government commission – which was created in 2009 to promote transparency from Gilroy staff – as they move to allow members of the public apply for the commission.

…

More