California Public Records Act – Page 4 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Opinion: Push in Sacramento to seal pension data based on false premises

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Opinion from Terry Francke, general counsel of Californians Aware, via San Jose Mercury News: Recent press reporting suggests that legislators in Sacramento, pressured by state employee unions and retiree associations, may be considering amending the California Public Records Act to exempt from public disclosure the names of CalPERS pensioners linked to their retirement payments — information that's been open to public scrutiny for the past 28 years.

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Small California publisher wins public records case

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From San Jose Mercury News: A state Court of Appeal has ruled that a small-town California newspaper publisher does not have to pay legal fees to a school board he sued over his public records request —a decision hailed by First Amendment advocates as a victory for government transparency.

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County transit district (Cal.) set to change email retention policy

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From inewsource: In the midst of an inewsource investigation and with state and federal agencies eyeing its practices, the North County Transit District is considering a policy change that would direct employees to delete certain emails after 60 days.

NCTD currently keeps emails, which often are important documentation of official public business, for two years. The NCTD board is scheduled to vote on the matter Thursday, and it comes at a key point in the agency’s accountability.

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California public records law strengthened by ruling on mapping data

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From Wired: California’s public-records law received a major boost Monday when the state Supreme Court decided local government must turn over mapping data without charging excessive fees.

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OC supervisors could owe Sierra Club $1 million in legal fees

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From Voice of Orange County: Orange County taxpayers could pay a $1-million legal tab for the Sierra Club because the county Board of Supervisors lost a court battle this week seeking to protect exclusive access to digital maps of the county for business groups and block free access for the public.

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Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission launches Government Transparency project

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Government watchdog sues San Diego for public records

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From Courthouse News Service: A government watchdog sued San Diego for records on a public spat between Mayor Bob Filner and the city attorney. San Diegans for Open Government sued the city in Superior Court.

It seeks a transcript of a closed-session meeting where Filner ejected Assistant City Attorney Andrew Jones for supposed "disruptive behavior."

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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for July 5, 2013

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From NFOIC: 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.

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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for June 28, 2013

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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.

Acting ND University System chancellor says NDSU president emails are not gone for good

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California Senate committee passes public records amendment

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From KTVU.com: A state Senate committee on Tuesday advanced a swiftly drafted constitutional amendment that would affirm the public's right to inspect documents held by local governments and clarifying that those agencies — not the state — should pay for making their records available.

The amendment passed the Senate Governance and Finance Committee on a 7-0 vote.

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