Criticism inspires reconsideration of new Utah open records law

Just two weeks after enacting a bill to undermine the state’s open records law, the Utah governor is asking for the bill’s repeal. Withering public criticism inspired the about face. The bill made voicemails, IMs, text messages and video chats of government officials off the record; increased fees charge for public records; and put the [...]

N.M. court: Complaints against police must be released

Citizen complaints brought against police are subject to public disclosure, according to a state Court of Appeals ruling that reinforces a New Mexico sunshine law granting access to government records. August 20, 2010 By The Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M. — The court ruled this week against the state Department of Public Safety, which refused [...]

High court privacy ruling finds way into sunshine law case

Last month’s U.S. Supreme Court decision on the privacy of petition signers in state ballot initiatives is already being invoked in the broader context of defending state sunshine and open meeting laws. The National Law Journal July 15, 2010 By Tony Mauro The state of Texas cited the decision Doe v. Reed (pdf) earlier this week [...]

Iowans lack clear relief when open government requests are denied

Public records requests are often denied to citizens of Iowa, who have no way to ensure that the state’s Sunshine Laws are properly followed.  -SMD The Iowa Independent News/Commentary July 12, 2010 By Adam B. Sullivan From rural township boards to the governor’s office, each level of government in Iowa is responsible for carrying out [...]

San Francisco resident sues over failure of city to enforce sunshine law

A retired lawyer is suing the San Francisco Ethics Commission for not enforcing open government laws. He claims that since 2004, the sunshine ordinance task force forwarded to the commission 14 cases in which the public has been denied public records but in every case the commission dismissed the claim in favor of the city. [...]