From Fox and Hounds Daily:
Gov. Jerry Brown missed an opportunity when he announced that he was eliminating hundreds of state reports – and seeking to eliminate hundreds more.
Brown was trying to convey that the state was buckling down and eliminating waste. But frugality was the only message. He should have paired that move with a call for more engagement – and openness.
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From Hickory Daily Record:
The Hickory City Council meeting on Tuesday was an exercise in open government. A Hickory resident took advantage of a statement on the agenda to force discussion on an issue, and the state’s open records law was illuminated for all to hear.
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Read More… from Council meeting was an exercise in open government
From Oswego Patch:
The Oswego School District 308 Board heard from upset parents Thursday night over what some say are recent violations of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
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Read More… from Parents Rebuke School Board Over Recent Closed Meetings
From Chicago Tribune:
The South Washington County school board broke the state Open Meeting Law during the process of firing Superintendent Mark Porter, a state agency has ruled.
An advisory opinion by the Minnesota Department of Administration says that the board acted illegally in meetings in December and January.
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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:
NARA Survey Shows Continued Govt-wide Records Mis-Management
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From Rapid City Journal:
Chadron’s efforts to hire a city manager have extended well in to 2012 after former city manager Sandra Powell resigned in October 2011. At the most recent city council meeting, the local news media was accused of interfering in the process. It’s not the first time the issue has been brought forth.
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From Woodbury Bulletin:
The South Washington County School Board violated state law in its handling of Superintendent Mark Porter’s final performance evaluation, according to a state opinion.
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Read More… from State: District 833 School Board violated Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law
From WLNS.com:
The Michigan Court of Appeals is hearing arguments in cases related to troubled city finances in Detroit and Flint. The issue is whether the state review teams that looked at the books in both cities should have met in public.
Lower court judges ruled that they must meet the requirements of the Open Meetings Act. The court will hear arguments Thursday. A decision will be released at a later date.
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Read More… from Appeals Court To Hold Hearing On Open Meetings Act
From Detroit News:
Lansing—The state Court of Appeals on Thursday heard oral arguments in four cases in which lower courts ruled financial review teams appointed under Public Act 4 violated the Open Meetings Act.
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Read More… from Lawyers debate application of Open Meetings Act in appeal arguments
From Aiken Standard:
COLUMBIA, S.C.—The South Carolina House approved a bill Thursday strengthening the state's open records law.
The bill approved 101-1 a bill barring public agencies, governments and school districts from charging excessive fees for public records and requiring them to respond more quickly. It also removes legislators' exemption from the law.
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Read More… from SC House approves strengthening open records law
