Federal judge allows National Security Agency to dodge question about ties to Google

A federal judge is allowing the National Security Agency to avoid answering the question about a possible relationship between the agency and Google after the China hacking incident of January 2010. The judge said NSA ruled the agency only had  state it can “neither confirm nor deny” that it has a relationship with Google.-db From [...]

California: Novato man alleges freight contract process violated open meetings law

Expressing his own opinion, Bernard Meyers,  former Novato councilman and current board member of the North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA), has alleged that NCRA made a deal with Northwestern Pacific Co. (NPC) to lease a freight run without proper public notice and participation. Meyers describes the  alleged violation, “NCRA’s activities — interviewing the bidders, choosing [...]

Public record quest: California attorney general to probe shredding of documents relating to Palin speaker’s fee

Students from California State University Stanislaus have discovered shredded documents in the garbage concerning an upcoming speaking engagement by Sarah Palin. The university had denied that any documents existed on the Palin visit. -db San Francisco Chronicle April 14, 2010 By Wyatt Buchanan SACRAMENTO – Students at Cal State Stanislaus discovered evidence that documents related [...]

Lobbyists not registering to avoid stricter rules

In a reaction to strict new Congressional regulations, in increasing numbers, advocates are not registering as lobbyists making it harder to track the effect of campaign contributions and meetings with public officials. -DB The New York Times January 18, 2010 By David D. Kirkpatrick WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ellen Miller, co-founder of the Sunlight Foundation, has spent [...]

Internet raises stakes in cases pitting public disclosure against right to privacy

In Doe v. Reed, the U.S. Supreme Court will weigh the right to privacy under the First Amendment’s protection of freedom of speech and association against the need for open government and transparency in public elections. -DB First Amendment Center Commentary January 19, 2010 By Tony Mauro WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court has agreed [...]

Sutter County: Supervisors forgive tax bill in closed session

An editorial in the Appeal Democrat criticizes the Sutter County Board of Supervisors for settling a disputed tax payment in the favor of the Fremont-Rideout Health Group in a closed session without required public disclosure. -DB Appeal Democrat Editorial August 8, 2009 Oh, Team Sutter, you’ve strayed again. Once again, the public’s right to know is [...]