Open Records Law Discussed
May 2, 2009: "Advocates for freedom of information and the First Amendment are talking about South Dakota's new public records law passed by the legislature.
Leaders in the community came together to discuss what the new open records measure means in South Dakota. The new law makes public records public unless there's a good reason to keep them private." Read the full article here.
Future of state open records law uncertain
April 22, 2009: "When South Dakota’s new open records law SB147 takes effect in July, no one knows exactly how the law will be interpreted or make a day-to-day difference in government by presuming openness.
'Nothing is ever a one-time thing that is done when it comes to public administration and public law,' said Tena Haraldson, Associated Press chief of bureau for North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska." Read the full article here.
Hearing office handles 7 public records cases
April 19, 2009: "Seven cases involving disputes over public access to government documents have been filed with the state Office of Hearing Examiners under a new appeals process that was set up last year to resolve such disagreements.
The Office of Hearing Examiners reports that in three appeals, agencies were ordered to provide all or part of the documents requested. One request was denied, and another case is pending." Read the full article here.
Agency must show tax-refund permits
April 15, 2009: "An administrative judge has ordered that state permits issued to large business and agricultural processing projects for sales-tax and contractor-tax refunds must be open to public inspection in South Dakota.
The state Department of Revenue and Regulation complied this week with the order and turned over electronic photocopies of the permits." Read the full article here.
University openness lacks consistency
April 8, 2009: "Looking at public government information is one important piece of being an informed citizen.
To see public information, it should not matter who you are and why you want to know something. The same public information should be available to any U.S. citizen who makes a request.
However, the government, understandably, should be careful with the overwhelming personal records they keep." Read the full article here.
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