II: New records law seems to bring change in attitudes
December 22, 2009 |
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A new test of how
government agencies respond to records requests
shows that a year after Pennsylvania's revamped
Right-to-Know Law took effect, it may be
transforming attitudes among public officials
about the public documents and information under
their control. Over two days this fall, reporters
and others from 33 Pennsylvania newspapers, a TV
station, and a community college journalism class
filed 274 requests for public records from police
agencies, local government offices and school
districts in an audit coordinated by The
Associated Press.
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II: Rules for Pa. Right-to-Know Law survey
December 22, 2009 |
How the audit of compliance with Pennsylvania's
Right-to-Know Law was conducted. Read
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I: Reach of new Pa. FOI law gets tested in first year
December 21, 2009 |
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A wealth of information
about the actions and decisions of Pennsylvania
public officials has been pried loose in the year
since a broad expansion of the state's
Right-to-Know Law took effect. There are signs,
including a recent spot check of government
agencies, that the state is shedding its
long-standing reputation as a public-access
backwater. Read
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State's records law hailed as step forward
November 29, 2009 |
Until this year, Pennsylvania's open-records law
had an abysmal reputation.
But on Jan. 1, a revised Right-to-Know Law took effect. Eleven days later, the state's newly created, independent Office of Open Records began refereeing its first dispute between the public and a government agency.
Now, Mr. Davis said, as the one-year anniversary approaches, Pennsylvania's open-records law "easily" ranks in the top third across the nation -- what he called a "signal improvement."
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But on Jan. 1, a revised Right-to-Know Law took effect. Eleven days later, the state's newly created, independent Office of Open Records began refereeing its first dispute between the public and a government agency.
Now, Mr. Davis said, as the one-year anniversary approaches, Pennsylvania's open-records law "easily" ranks in the top third across the nation -- what he called a "signal improvement."
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Court challenges could change the public's broad access to government
August 09, 2009 |
The public's right to know — which was enshrined
in a robust new Pennsylvania law that took effect
eight months ago — has become the target of
roll-back efforts by local and state agencies.
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Public records advocate: In Pa., a 'new era of openness'
March 14, 2009 |
The York Daily Record/Sunday News asked Kim de
Bourbon, executive director of the Pennsylvania
Freedom of Information Coalition, some questions
about the state's new open records law, which is
2½ months old. Read
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Ruling: Government employee birth dates are public records in Pa.
February 24, 2009 |
The new state Office of Open Records ruled on six
appeals, offering access to government employee
dates of birth, names of government contractor
employees and school board committee reports.
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Appeals show what right-to-know requests are being denied
February 07, 2009 |
When Michael J. Cavanagh submitted his public
records request to the Uniontown City Council, he
did so with the understanding that the office
would respond to the inquiry within five business
days. It didn't. Read
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New Open Records Law presentation Feb. 10 in Philadelphia
February 02, 2009 |
PHILADELPHIA – An educational presentation on the
state’s new open records law will be hosted by
the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition
on Tuesday, Feb. 10 in Philadelphia. Read
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Many citizens use open-records law for things large and small
January 21, 2009 |
On any given day Kim de Bourbon is manning the
discussion boards on the Pennsylvania Freedom of
Information Coalition Web site, answering
questions like “What recourse is available if a
county or the state refuses to respond to a
request?” or “Do community colleges and
state-owned universities have to answer requests
for number of faculty and salaries?” Read
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THE WATCHDOG: New rules are open gift for Pa.
December 21, 2008 |
Citizens,
researchers, reporters and just plain inquisitive
folks will get a belated Christmas gift when a
new law takes effect Jan. 1 opening more
government information to public eyes. The
state's revised Right-to-Know law forces more
agencies, plus state lawmakers and judges, to
release records. It brings Pennsylvania in line
with many other states. Read
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