A Delaware lawmaker who backed a bill to give government officials more power to deny Freedom of Information Act requests is reconsidering the bill after open government advocates raised objections. The Delaware Coalition for Open Government opposed the bill, saying the new exemptions would make the state “one of the most restrictive states (if not…
Tag: Delaware
Proposed fees and exemptions threaten public’s right to know, Delaware coalition argues
The Delaware Coalition for Open Government is urging members of the Delaware State Senate to vote no on Senate Bill 155. The bill would amend the Freedom of Information Act to allow for new legal fees, new scanning fees, new broad FOIA exemptions, new prohibitions on monetary compensation and a new shorter timeframe for the public to…
Delaware coalition pushes for creation of Office of the State Inspector General
The Delaware Coalition for Open Government has been advocating for the establishment of a Delaware Office of the State Inspector General, which would oversee state agencies for transparency, accountability, and other good government issues. DelCOG has been working with the Association of Inspectors General, located at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and is writing a…
Government transparency: Is enough being done in age of COVID?
COVID-19 has presented a host of challenges. Things that were commonplace and done without a second thought six months ago, like going on a date or working out at the gym, are totally different now. Life in the time of COVID has completely changed society, and few areas have been impacted more than government operations….
Rodney Square bus advocates secure legal help in new push for Delaware Gov. Carney’s emails
Advocates say they’ve secured legal representation to continue their effort to restore the bus hub at Rodney Square. The Coalition to Restore the Rodney Square Bus Hub has been trying to see Gov. John Carney’s unredacted email exchanges with Wilmington business leaders for a year. The business leaders were advocating for reducing bus traffic in…
Governors Association Works with Eight States to Improve Health Data Sharing
Eight states are in the early stages of a collaboration with the National Governors Association that could enhance their ability to use and share health-care data enterprise-wide, ultimately improving operations and services to residents. On June 13, NGA, which works with governors on public policy and governance issues, announced a health policy partnership around data best practices…
DelCOG and civic groups push for independent review of Delaware LLC laws
The indictment against former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort stated nine Delaware business entities were used in the international money laundering and tax fraud scheme he’s charged with running. The Mexican drug lord known as “El Chapo” allegedly used a Delaware LLC for his drug money. And there also were reports this year that President Donald Trump’s former attorney…
Delaware lawmakers table bill extending FOIA to nonresidents
Legislation allowing nonresidents of Delaware to request public records under the state's Freedom of Information Act ran into a roadblock Wednesday in the General Assembly.
Currently, public bodies do not have to respond to FOIA requests from anyone who is not a resident of Delaware.
The proposed legislation, which was tabled in committee Wednesday, would remove that restriction while allowing state agencies and public bodies to charge higher fees to nonresidents, as long as they reasonably reflect the costs needed to defray expenses.
…
Delaware Democrats push transparency bills
Three legislative bills filed Tuesday would place additional requirements on lobbyists and political committees, improve transparency in government and mandate greater disclosure, its Democratic sponsors said.
…
Delaware bill would shed light on teacher discipline
A bill supported by high-ranking General Assembly members would give Delaware regulators more power to revoke or suspend teacher licenses and make those sanctions more transparent.
"The bill came about because we're trying to do everything we can to protect our children," said Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth, main sponsor of the legislation.
…