Obstacles to open records, February 10, 2012

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Obstacles to open records
13 contributors

Tips

• Just learned police like to keep to their own systems rather than city/county retain (and give out) their records.
• Local governments in Kansas sometimes have roll call, but often do not.
• In theory legislators could meet with governors if no state business discussed.
• In Michigan, lawmakers to mandate that officials be physically present in open mtgs.
• Being able to know who voted on what is a fundamental part of transparent government and accountability to citizens.
• Having telephone conference calls is fairer to rural areas. Dodge City to Topeka is 5 hour drive.

Links

• You've got email — and a potential open meeting violation. In Illinois, e-mail discussion becomes a violation when a quorum of public officials discuss public business.
• Analysis: Gov. snared in debate over meetings in Kansas.

• Legislators having dinner with governor. Unclear if Brownback dinner meetings violated open records law. County District Attorney is investigating. Kansas legislators meeting governor at dinner were subject to open meetings law, especially if majority of any committee was present.

• Georgia Supreme Court sides with transparency under Open Meetings law.
• Lawsuit accuses Detroit council of violating Open Meetings Act. Serial meetings in Detroit with the city councils financial team.
• Open meetings bill too hot to handle. Utah bill that would make state open meetings law stricter has a hard time in the House.
• GOP: Lawmakers can't be forced to give evidence. In Kansas.
• Atlanta violated open meetings law by refusing to name who voted against amending public comment rules.
• Gov. Sam Brownback says lawmakers were warned about open meetings law.
• Open Meetings Act clarification bill set for comments. Bill says Michigan officials *must* be present in an open meeting. No Skype allowed.
• KS Governmental Ethics Commission meeting to be telephone conference. Most members will not be physically present.
• 'Gasland' Journalists Arrested At Hearing By Order Of House Republicans.