Wyoming transparency headlines
From Sunshine Review
This article is a list of transparency related news from Wyoming.
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Wyoming Courts Change Rules for Judicial Records Access
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Cheyenne, WY On Friday, Novemeber 20, the Wyoming Supreme Court announced a change to its rules for responding to public records requests for case information in order to better protect the privacy of individuals. The court decided in January to begin redacting personal information from court files, including social security numbers and other financial information as well as home addresses, birth dates, and the names of minors and children. While the court argues that the steps were better made to protect personal privacy, many members of the media claim that the rule goes too far. [1]
Group promotes open government
"The newly formed Wyoming Coalition for Open Government will work to promote and defend transparency in Wyoming government while also educating citizens about the value and use of the state's open-government laws, founders of the group said.
Directors of the coalition, known as WCOG, will launch the new group at a press conference Thursday at the Wyoming state Capitol. The coalition will issue its first award for government openness, called the "Champion of the First Amendment Award," and its first award for an entity it believes has stymied openness, called the "Black Hole Award."
The coalition, which is modeled after similar groups in other states, is made up of organizations and individuals who share an interest in defending public access to government, said Jim Angell, a founder of the coalition and director of the Wyoming Press Association."
New Wyoming group to promote open government
"Proponents of transparency in government are forming a nonprofit called the Wyoming Coalition for Open Government to advocate for open government in Wyoming.
Founders will launch the new group at a press conference Thursday at the Wyoming state Capitol. Jim Angell, a founder of the coalition and director of the Wyoming Press Association, says the group is made up of organizations including the Press Association, Wyoming newspapers, the League of Women Voters and the Equality State Policy Center. The Associated Press is also a member."
Sheridan paper seeks booking photos
The Sheridan Press is seeking public access to booking photographs in the county sheriff's office.
The newspaper has filed a petition for declaratory judgment in district court to determine whether booking photographs in the possession and control of the sheriff are subject to the Wyoming Public Records Act.
Sheridan County Sheriff Dave Hofmeier has told The Sheridan Press that it is not the policy of his office to release booking photographs."
Casper judge sides with paper in records case
"A District Court judge in Casper has ruled that a Circuit Court policy of denying public access to files in child endangerment cases is contrary to Wyoming's public records law.
The ruling by Judge Scott Skavdahl comes in a lawsuit filed by the Casper Star-Tribune. The newspaper was denied access to court documents in a child endangerment case."
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