An analysis by the Canadian-based Centre for Law and Democracy gives Puerto Rico low marks for transparency in terms of access to information and “open data” laws. “Puerto Rico needs stronger rules guaranteeing the right to information if it truly aspires to adequately implement this constitutionally guaranteed right. Its current laws are much weaker than…
Tag: open government laws
Lessons from States that Embraced Telework Before the Coronavirus
In 2019, according to the Center for State and Local Government Excellence, only about 19% of local governments had any kind of telework arrangements in place and fewer than half the states did. Even in states that had some telework capacity, only a handful provided that option for more than a modest portion of employees….
Washington Governor Inslee relaxes open government laws
To further facilitate the social distancing and stay-at-home orders put in place in the past two weeks, Gov. Jay Inslee suspended several parts of the state’s government transparency laws this week. The order, which is in effect until April 24, temporarily waives certain requirements of Washington’s Open Public Meeting and Public Records acts. Public meetings…
Obama’s State Department repeatedly ignores open government laws
The State Department has been dismissing about half of the press requests it receives for information under open government laws – a pattern of rejection that members of the Senate Judiciary Committee described on Wednesday as unacceptable and embarrassing.
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World-Herald editorial: Open government law’s spirit covers texts
Times have changed since government officials picked up quill pens when they wanted to send one another a message.
But the principles behind our open government laws remain the same. The public’s business ought to be conducted in public.
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Editorial: Wisconsin’s open government laws should be updated
Wisconsin’s new attorney general, Brad Schimel, recently contended the state’s open government laws “are outdated and do not adequately address today’s technological environment.” He promised to initiate a process to provide “clearer guidance … without reducing rights to access.”
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Open government group: FL Gov. Scott won’t commit to reversing practices in second term
Declaring that Florida's open government laws have been "under attack in recent years," the First Amendment Foundation asked the two candidates for governor to answer three questions pledging to reverse recent trends and operate with more transparent practices if they are elected.
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