Members phkrause Posted December 31, 2023 Members Share Posted December 31, 2023 A collaboration between The Associated Press and CNHI News has found it’s getting harder for the public to access information at the local government level in many states, including at school districts, townships and county boards. Open government advocates say high fees, delays and outright refusals from local governments are often the cause. Read more. Why this matters: Few states compile data on public records requests, and laws governing open records differ by state, making a comprehensive analysis difficult. However, a review by David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, from data provided by nonprofit news site MuckRock found that between 2010 and 2021, local governments’ compliance with records requests dropped by 21%. Researchers say local agencies lack the staffing and infrastructure to process records requests. There has also been a decline of in local media institutions, which have limited resources to wage costly legal battles over records access. Incidents of governments suing journalists and residents for making records requests also have become more common and accessing local government meetings is growing more difficult. Elected officials are discussing significant public business in closed sessions, observers say, and in some regions, they’re engaging in more combative behavior with constituents. Related coverage ➤ Decline in local news outlets is accelerating despite efforts to help Chicago suburb drops citations against reporter for asking too many questions Kansas police chief who led raid on small weekly newspaper has resigned, official says Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted March 14 Author Members Share Posted March 14 States have a patchwork of ‘broken’ systems for accessing open records A nationwide review by The Associated Press and CNHI News revealed a patchwork of complicated systems for resolving open government disputes that often put the burden of enforcing transparency laws on private citizens. Read more. Why this matters: The review found that fewer than a third of states have offices that can help residents force agencies to turn over documents or comply with open meetings requirements. Systems for resolving open government disputes vary vastly from state to state and can be complicated and daunting to navigate. In most states, residents have just one meaningful option when they believe an agency is illegally withholding public information: waging a costly legal battle. This system has a chilling effect, discouraging private citizens from finding out about matters from police investigations to how elected officials make decisions and spend taxpayer money. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ A state-by-state breakdown of the mechanisms for resolving open government disputes New Jersey lawmakers fast track bill that could restrict records access under open records law Open government advocate still has concerns over revised open records bill passed by Kentucky House Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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