Lawmakers say they want voters to decide if privacy and open-government protections should be added to Wyoming's Constitution.
The Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Interim Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to support a bill that would put the proposed constitutional changes on the 2016 general election ballot.
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Read More… from Wyoming voters may decide if privacy, opengov should be added to Constitution
A legislative proposal that had concerned government transparency advocates has been withdrawn by the bill’s sponsor.
Rep. Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, pulled House Bill 232 Thursday morning right before it was about to be debated by the House Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee.
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Read More… from Open meetings bill withdrawn in Wyoming House
Government transparency advocates say they are concerned about a newly filed bill that would change Wyoming’s public meetings law.
House Bill 232 would allow public agencies to “take action upon information classified as confidential by law” in executive session.
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Though a lawsuit prompted the disclosure of dozens more records on grizzly bear preservation efforts, it is hard to prove intentional government stonewalling, a federal magistrate ruled.
Today there are between 1,400 and 1,700 grizzly bears on 2 percent of their historic range, down from the roughly 50,000 grizzlies that roamed the lower 48 states in the 1800s. Only an estimated 400 to 600 grizzlies remain in the Greater Yellowstone Habitat.
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Wyoming ranks among the worst states for government transparency, according to the president of the Society of Professional Journalists.
David Cuillier, director of the University of Arizona School of Journalism, is one of about a half-dozen researchers who study public and press access to government information nationally and internationally.
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Read More… from In terms of transparency, Wyoming is among the worst
We believe: Cheyenne's downtown group should obey the state's transparency laws. Meanwhile, we like that the Legislature may be more open in the future. Tell us what you think: Contact us via email at opinion@wyomingnews.com.
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Read More… from Editorial: Thumbs down to DDA actions; up to openness
