The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals says federal authorities must hand over database records just as if they were paper records in a file cabinet, in a case launched by five media outlets, Harvard Law’s Cyberlaw Clinic, and 16 data journalists, including Eye on Ohio. Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw wrote in a ruling released…
Tag: Ohio
Record-Courier Editorial: New search for Kent State president must be public
The looming retirement of Kent State University President Beverly Warren impacts many people in many different ways. Students wonder if their chosen school’s next leader will be as focused on their needs. Administrators surely are curious to see how well they mesh with the new president’s administrative style and priorities. And Kent community leaders and…
Ohio: Dozens of area public agencies cited for open records violations
Thirty-two area public agencies were among 357 across the state issued citations last year for not fully complying with Ohio’s public records laws, according to the state auditor’s office.
Some had up to four citations, including the Springfield Academy of Excellence, which was shut down by the state in 2015 for other issues. Other entities with more than one citation include the Butler County Agricultural Society and village of Harveysburg.
…
‘Putin-like rule’? Ohio GOP lawmaker, Gov Kasich clash over health-care transparency law
Accusing Gov. John Kasich of “engaging in Putin-like rule” to overturn a state law on health-care price transparency, the law’s sponsor wants the attorney general to hire outside counsel to defend the state against an industry lawsuit.
…
West Virginia: Delegate and auditor candidate McCuskey promises to imitate Ohio state spending website
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Kanawha County Del. and candidate for state auditor JB McCuskey is a big proponent of an Ohio website that has been named the top government transparency site in the country.
…
Why open government advocates are feeling good about the news from Ohio
Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say, It’s all right. George Harrison could have written those words about Ohio in recent weeks, as a pair of legal developments have called attention to freedom-of-information issues in the Buckeye State and promise to make state and local government more open.
As one of my friends in the legal world there put it, “Not sure who flipped the switch, but it feels like Sunshine Week … right now.”
…
A public body’s prearranged discussion by email violates Ohio’s open meetings act
A private prearranged discussion of public business by the majority of a public body’s members either face-to-face or by other means such as telephone, e-mail, text, or tweet, violates the Ohio Open Meetings Act, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
…
Editorial: Ohio open records bill is a winner
An open government is a more honest and efficient government. But Ohioans often face unnecessary delays and obstacles when they ask for records that document what government is up to — either because public officials don’t know open-records laws, misinterpret them or purposely stall to cover up misdeeds.
Unless a citizen has tens of thousands of dollars and years to spend on a court lawsuit, he’s out of luck. Crooked or obstinate government officials know this, and use it to exploit the law.
…
Ohio could make public records fights cheaper, quicker
Public records fights take too much time and cost too much money, a slew of Republican leaders said Wednesday.
Senate President Keith Faber, R-Celina, wants to create a first-of-its-kind way to appeal rejected requests for public records by going through the Ohio Court of Claims.
…
Ohio Supreme Court to weigh in on public records debate
The Ohio Supreme Court is deciding whether police departments can shield the complete files of a long-closed criminal case until all chance of appeals are exhausted, usually because the defendant is dead.
A public records lawsuit contends that the position taken by the Columbus Police Department and backed by the local prosecutor is part of a trend around the state of agencies refusing to release such records.
…