Recently several of us were reminiscing about the "old days of foil" when responses were not done digitally, and everything was "twenty-five cents a page" to answer citizen freedom of information requests.
Indeed, it would be no exaggeration to say that residents spent thousands of dollars over many years with multiple government offices and agencies during the Metro Enviro saga, the Millenium Pipeline fight, the Gouveia property acquisition and so much more.
And yes while things have improved, a citizen still has little recourse if the request for information is denied.
With that in mind, The Associated Press has an article today:
States have a patchwork of ‘broken’ systems for accessing open records
A nationwide review by The Associated Press and CNHI News revealed a patchwork of complicated systems for resolving open government disputes that often put the burden of enforcing transparency laws on private citizens. Read more.
Why this matters:
The review found that fewer than a third of states have offices that can help residents force agencies to turn over documents or comply with open meetings requirements. Systems for resolving open government disputes vary vastly from state to state and can be complicated and daunting to navigate.
In most states, residents have just one meaningful option when they believe an agency is illegally withholding public information: waging a costly legal battle. This system has a chilling effect, discouraging private citizens from finding out about matters from police investigations to how elected officials make decisions and spend taxpayer money.
States have a patchwork of ‘broken’ systems for accessing open records
A nationwide review by The Associated Press and CNHI News revealed a patchwork of complicated systems for resolving open government disputes that often put the burden of enforcing transparency laws on private citizens. Read more.
Why this matters:
The review found that fewer than a third of states have offices that can help residents force agencies to turn over documents or comply with open meetings requirements. Systems for resolving open government disputes vary vastly from state to state and can be complicated and daunting to navigate.
In most states, residents have just one meaningful option when they believe an agency is illegally withholding public information: waging a costly legal battle. This system has a chilling effect, discouraging private citizens from finding out about matters from police investigations to how elected officials make decisions and spend taxpayer money.
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