September 2007

• Does having criminal histories open to the public result in more crime? September 30, 2007
• Have you ever been concerned about the background of the people busing your kids to school? In Ohio, the county clerk decided to look into it, and came up with some distrubing results. September 29, 2007
• FOIA Facts: Points to Remember -- these are some handy tips from Scott A. Hodes, the writer of The FOIA Blog. September 28, 2007
• Ranchers in Colorado want the Army to prove it when they say there are "willing sellers" for land the Army wants. Not to be a downer, but who do you think will come out on top of this fight? September 28, 2007
• Is using public records requests a valid tool in the political process? Or just partisan gadflies wasting everybody's time? September 27, 2007
• Here's a fun opportunity for community activists to win some money for filing FOIA requests: The Sammie Awards! September 26, 2007
• What comes first, the public's right to freedom of information or the individual's privacy? September 26, 2007
• The face of campaign finance is changing and hopefully becoming more open to the public. Here is one of the reasons why. September 25, 2007
• For those interested in Federal FOIAble documents, check out Louis. It's a (beta) project from The Sunlight Foundation with the ultimate goal of "create{ing} a comprehensive, completely indexed and cross-referenced depository of federal documents from the executive and legislative branches of government." Neat! September 24, 2007
• Things are really heating up in Connecticut!
  September 22, 2007: First Selectman: Old Saybrook Broke No FOI Laws September 21, 2007: Koskelowski appeals $500 FOI fine September 21, 2007: Old Saybrook, Freundlich Say Their Piece September 21, 2007: Journal Inquirer seeks names of New Haven ID card applicants September 20, 2007 Greenwich Fire Marshal Benoit’s future on hold September 19, 2007: New Haven's refusing to divulge the names of Elm City ID card applicants, even if that means ignoring the law September 19, 2007: FOI commission rules against zoning commission September 19, 2007: Teachers union sues school board
• It's hard to require states to comply with freedom of information statutes when the White House won't. September 20, 2007
• Muslim Groups Sue FBI Over Records. September 18, 2007
• Um, wow. They must be REALLY HUNGRY in Illinois. September 16, 2007
• In Rhode Island, the ACLU is suing the police department for failing to disclose open records. Again. As executive director Steven Brown puts it:
  “We’ve been successful in every open records suit we filed against the police department. We shouldn’t have to file so many lawsuits. The open records law is very clear that public agencies have an obligation to respond to requests within 10 business days. There’s really no reason for any agency, including police departments, to ignore requests.” September 14, 2007
• The Sun newspaper in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, offers a great editorial on how open meetings laws are there for a reason. September 12, 2007
• Open access to restaurant inspection records leads to understanding a tragedy. September 11, 2007
• Court upholds bondsmen's right to solicit business. County argued that the calls put law officers at risk. September 10, 2007
• Goodbye Frosty! You will be missed. September 9, 2007
• Were you ever rescued by the Coast Guard? Rest assured, they won't tell anyone. September 7, 2007
• Tomgram: Ruth Rosen, Shutting Down the Information Society, Bush-Style. September 7, 2007
• A call to introduce legislation to improve FOIA laws. September 4, 2007
• Must be nice... unless you're a patient. September 2, 2007
• It is tempting to edit wiki's at the office, but shouldn't public employees be ...working? September 1, 2007
• Medicare to Reveal Data About Doctors after a consumer group sued for access. September 1, 2007
• Some governmental agencies are pushing back against citizens filing public records requests. September 1, 2007
• OpenTheGovernment.org is Troubled by Rise in Government Secrecy. September 1, 2007

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