The arrival of “Sunshine Week” provides an opportunity to reflect on the value of transparency as a tool to hold government accountable for its actions — and inactions.
“Sunshine Week” this year runs from March 10-16 . It overlaps the March 16 birthday of James Madison, father of the U.S. Constitution and a key advocate of the Bill of Rights.
Your Right to Know: Democracy depends on open government
They say what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, but when it comes to public records, the state Legislature doesn’t seem to believe in this principle.
In Wisconsin, cities, police and fire departments, state agencies, and even the governor’s office are required to retain public records and make these available to the public.
For most of our state’s history, these rules also applied to those who wrote the laws. (To read more of this column by state Sen. Chris Larson, click on the headline.)
Your Right to Know: Racine case shows folly of official secrecy
By Steve Lovejoy, Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council Secrecy in government, compounded by court-ordered secrecy, gives rise to speculation and rumor – which never serves the public interest. A case involving Racine City Attorney Scott Letteney and Racine Alderperson Sandy Weidner illustrates that very well. Last August, the city attorney sought an ethics violation sanction […]
“Your Right to Know”: Pay attention to political candidates’ positions on ‘open government’
Perhaps no other political issue receives so little attention, relative to its importance, as open government.
Virtually all candidates, when asked, will say they are big fans of transparency. It’s an easy position to take, a harder one to live up to. But in Wisconsin’s fall elections this year, fidelity to open government as a basic tenet of a democratic society has come up in several races: for governor, attorney general and U.S. Senate.
‘Your Right to Know’: high court ponders exempting state court system from open records law
By Mark Belling, Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council A few weeks back, while looking into a court case in Waukesha County, I went to the court’s website seeking contact information. There were a few phone numbers but no email addresses. So I called one of the numbers and asked for the judge’s email address. The […]
YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW: Citizens have a right to electronic records
By John Foust, Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council Computers have made examining government records easier than ever. The smallest townships across Wisconsin post their meeting agendas and minutes online. And websites for government agencies at all levels contain an enormous amount of other information. Electronic records are also available on request. Say you want to […]