PERRY: Government transparency warriors deserve the SPJ nod to Aurora Sentinel battle - Sentinel Colorado 'Honors like this from SPJ and the very court cases themselves serve the public by keeping all governments on notice that the public is always watching through the eyes of the media'

‘Honors like this from SPJ and the very court cases themselves serve the public by keeping all governments on notice that the public is always watching through the eyes of the media’

sentinelcolorado.com/opinion/perr...

#Journalism #FactsMatter #OpenMeetings

PERRY: Government transparency warriors deserve the SPJ nod to Aurora Sentinel battle - Sentinel Colorado 'Honors like this from SPJ and the very court cases themselves serve the public by keeping all governments on notice that the public is always watching through the eyes of the media'

‘Honors like this from SPJ and the very court cases themselves serve the public by keeping all governments on notice that the public is always watching through the eyes of the media’

sentinelcolorado.com/opinion/perr...

#Journalism #FactsMatter #OpenMeetings

Legal counsel briefs Hamilton City board on duties, Open Meetings rules and 'red flags' for members Bricker & Graydon attorney Dave Lampi told the board its three core duties are hiring leadership, fiscal oversight and policy adoption; he warned against day-to-day involvement, described open-meeting risks including serial communications and executive-session limits, and recommended social-media disclaimers.

Legal counsel Dave Lampi unveiled critical insights for board members, stressing the importance of ethics and the dangers of overstepping authority in his recent presentation.

Learn more here

#OH #CitizenPortal #EthicsInGovernance #OpenMeetings #PublicRecords

Open meetings laws need more help than the attorney general's bills offer • South Dakota Searchlight The problem is that as well-intentioned as Jackley’s bills are, they don’t approach what South Dakota really needs to fix its open meetings problems.

Bills to amend South Dakota's #OpenMeetings laws "don’t approach what South Dakota really needs to fix its open meetings problems," writes Dana Hess.

Commentary:

South Dakota attorney general convenes task force to review open meetings laws • South Dakota Searchlight A 15-member task force established by South Dakota's attorney general will review the state's open meetings laws and ponder possible changes.

A 15-member task force established by South Dakota’s attorney general will review the state’s #OpenMeetings laws and ponder possible changes.

While no one was watching: Belmont removes LGBTQ employee protections - QnotesCarolinas.com A Belmont attorney sues the city, alleging officials secretly removed LGBTQ workplace protections in violation of North Carolina’s open-meetings law.

NORTH CAROLINA - Charlotte suburb may have violated NC open-government laws. Read more at link👇

buff.ly/HpAKyBP

#BelmontNC #LGBTQNews #OpenMeetings #Transparency #NCPolitics #Equality #CivilRights #QNotes #LGBTQProtections #NorthCarolina

WSBA staff reiterate open-meeting rules, minute-keeping and fiscal tips for section leaders WSBA sections team reviewed open meetings, minute-recording and archive practices, described staff liaison roles, and offered practical fiscal tips including a 7–10 business-day contract review window, reimbursement preapproval, affidavit caps for lost receipts and the $500 threshold for requiring a budget memo.

WSBA staff are ensuring section leaders know the ins and outs of open-meeting rules and fiscal practices to prevent reimbursement headaches!

Learn more here!

#WA #OpenMeetings #CitizenPortal #FiscalResponsibility #PublicAccountability

Original post on epistolary.org

SeeGov: Highlights of #Souderton Area School Board on October 23, 2025

The board brought a proposal to eliminate the per capita tax and approved parameters for a 2026 bond issue increased to $55 million, with an update on Oak Ridge Elementary's HVAC promised at the next operations meeting […]

Board debates moving public comment, executive session under Policy 0164 Board members debated restructuring meeting order to move public comment earlier and whether to hold closed session at the meeting start. Legal counsel advised caution on open-meetings requirements and confidentiality; no policy change was adopted but members asked the president to draft temporary agenda language for testing.

The Englewood Board of Education is in a heated debate over when to allow public comment, with potential changes that could reshape how parents and students engage with crucial board decisions.

Get the details!

#NJ #OpenMeetings #CitizenPortal #PublicParticipation #EducationPolicy

Veterans Service Commission Mandates Open Meetings for Financial Assistance Decisions Commission to hold open votes on financial assistance for veterans under specified sections.

Ohio's Veterans Service Commission is opening the door to transparency by holding public votes on financial assistance for our heroes.

Learn more here!

#OH #OpenMeetings #CitizenPortal #FinancialAssistance #CivicAccountability

Select Board Delays Approval of Waiver Application Amid Agenda Confusion Select Board defers waiver discussion pending further agenda review next week.

Amid confusion over agenda items, the Acton Select Board has postponed a crucial waiver application discussion, raising questions about transparency and procedural integrity.

Get the details!

#TownofActonMiddlesexCounty #MA #OpenMeetings #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

Library Board outlines rules for closed sessions and public transparency Library Board clarifies protocols for closed sessions and public voting during meetings.

Nebraska's library boards are stepping up their commitment to transparency, ensuring that all decisions are made publicly and with community involvement.

Click to read more!

#NE #OpenMeetings #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #PublicTransparency

Inside the Boardroom: Understanding the Board of Supervisors. Agenda & Notice Rules. Text and icons describe that for regular meetings, the agenda must be posted 72 hours before with item titles 20 words or less. Special meetings require agenda and public notice 24 hours before. Emergency meetings only need about 1-hour notice via phone to media, and no agenda is needed. A yellow box at the bottom states 'Agendas must include: time, location (including virtual links!), topic descriptions, ADA/access info, & how to request accommodations.' An icon on the right shows a clipboard with checkboxes and a clock

Inside the Boardroom: Understanding the Board of Supervisors. Public Participation & Access. Text and icons explain that public comment is allowed on any agenda item and other topics within jurisdiction. There is no sign-in or fees to attend; cameras and audio recording are allowed unless they disrupt proceedings. If translation is needed, non-English speakers get double the speaking time. Speech bubbles with 'My LA County!' translated into various languages (Korean, Armenian, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic) are shown.

Inside the Boardroom: Understanding the Board of Supervisors. Why It Matters for L.A. County. Text and icons explain that it promotes transparency, accountability, and trust in county decisions. Violations can lead to invalid actions and possible misdemeanor charges. It ensures equal access to public oversight to empower the community. Below is a yellow box with 'To learn more & view meeting agendas, visit: bos.lacounty.gov'. On the left is the 'EXECUTIVE OFFICE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES' logo and social media handles '@LACOUNTYBOS'. On the right, a circle of stick figures surrounds the County of Los Angeles seal. The source is 'LA County Counsel Guide on Brown Act Requirements (2020)'.

📚 Source: LA County Counsel’s Brown Act Guide
bit.ly/LAC-BrownAct

#LACounty #CivicEngagement #BrownAct #OpenMeetings #InsidetheBoardroom

Open Meetings Law analysis confirms committee meetings must occur in person Committee meetings must comply with open meetings law, prohibiting exclusive Zoom formats.

Community boards are grappling with the challenge of adapting to open meetings law, as they question whether in-person attendance is a necessity in our increasingly digital world.

Click to read more!

#NY #OpenMeetings #CitizenPortal #DigitalEngagement #CivicAccountability #NewYorkCommunityBoards

City Attorney Butler reviews Kansas Open Meetings and Records Acts for local officials Jackie Butler explains transparency requirements and executive session exceptions to city officials.

City Attorney Jackie Butler emphasizes the critical need for transparency in government operations during the Derby Planning Commission meeting, warning about the pitfalls of social media communications that could violate open meeting laws.

Get the details!

#DerbySedgwickCounty #KS #OpenMeetings

Council explores new open meetings proposal for public records requests Council discusses timeline and fee structures for open meetings and public records management.

Wyoming's legislature is taking bold steps to enhance transparency by proposing strict timelines for public records requests—will this reshape government accountability?

Click to read more!

#WY #OpenMeetings #GovernmentTransparency #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

Senator Bonner advocates for stronger public records laws in Wyoming Senator Bonner calls for transparency in local government records and higher penalties for violations.

Senator Bonner is pushing for tougher public records laws in Wyoming to ensure government transparency and accountability, but are current penalties enough to enforce compliance?

Get the details

#WY #OpenMeetings #GovernmentAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicTransparency

Aurora City Council drops restricting public recording, limits speakers at the lectern - Sentinel Colorado Aurora city council restricts number of people speaking simultaneously near council.

Aurora city council restricts number of people speaking simultaneously near council.

sentinelcolorado.com/metro/aurora...

#AuroraCO #OpenMeetings #PublicAccess

Aurora City Council drops restricting public recording, limits speakers at the lectern - Sentinel Colorado Aurora city council restricts number of people speaking simultaneously near council.

Aurora city council restricts number of people speaking simultaneously near council.

sentinelcolorado.com/metro/aurora...

#AuroraCO #OpenMeetings #PublicAccess

Aurora lawmakers propose city hall camera restrictions, adding to protest fray - Sentinel Colorado 'If a restriction is placed, it must apply equally to everybody and every meeting, not just to certain individuals or certain meetings'

‘If a restriction is placed, it must apply equally to everybody and every meeting, not just to certain individuals or certain meetings’

sentinelcolorado.com/metro/aurora...

#AuroraCO #COpolitics #OpenMeetings

Aurora lawmakers propose city hall camera restrictions, adding to protest fray - Sentinel Colorado 'If a restriction is placed, it must apply equally to everybody and every meeting, not just to certain individuals or certain meetings'

‘If a restriction is placed, it must apply equally to everybody and every meeting, not just to certain individuals or certain meetings’

sentinelcolorado.com/metro/aurora...

#AuroraCO #COpolitics #OpenMeetings

Law Director Drew Riley leads public records training for Building and Zoning Appeals board Drew Riley explains public records and open meetings laws to Building and Zoning Appeals members.

Drew Riley's essential training on public records and open meetings laws is setting the stage for transparency in Stow's Board of Zoning Appeals!

Learn more here

#StowCitySummitCounty #OH #PublicRecords #CitizenPortal #CivicTransparency #OpenMeetings #StowCity

New episode. #HandsOff @councilofdc.bsky.social #openmeetings #MDGA2025 @willjawando.bsky.social linktr.ee/ihppod @sunildasgupta.bsky.social

Senator Tucker champions transparency bill amid concerns over secret meetings in Arkansas Senator Tucker advocates for stronger transparency laws to prevent secret meetings in government.

Senator Tucker is taking a stand against secret meetings in Arkansas, pushing for a bold new transparency bill that could reshape how government operates.

Learn more here

#AR #CitizenPortal #PublicAccountability #OpenMeetings

Town council reviews conflict of interest law during recorded public meeting Council discusses upcoming abatement applications and conflict of interest law overview.

The Town Council's recent meeting shed light on crucial conflict of interest laws just in time for the upcoming abatement application season.

Learn more here!

#TownofNeedhamNorfolkCounty #MA #OpenMeetings #NeedhamBoardOfAssessors #PublicParticipation #CitizenPortal #ConflictOfInterest

Rhoden signs bill requiring annual reviews of open-meetings laws • South Dakota Searchlight Larry Rhoden signed a bill this week that will require public boards and commissions to review the open meetings laws every year.

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden signed a bill this week that will require public boards and commissions to review the state’s #OpenMeetings laws every year.

South Dakota lawmakers advance several transparency bills • South Dakota Searchlight PIERRE — Legislation concerning open records and open meetings was a recurring topic this week in the South Dakota Legislature as lawmakers advanced bills that would open governors’ records sooner…

Legislation concerning #OpenRecords and #OpenMeetings was a recurring topic this week in the South Dakota Legislature as lawmakers advanced bills that would open governors’ records sooner and require state and local boards to annually review open meetings laws.

AG office: City violated law in selection of city manager - Las Cruces Bulletin The city of Las Cruces violated New Mexico’s Open Meetings Act throughout the process of selecting its new city manager earlier in 2024, an investigation by the state Department of Justice …

The city of Las Cruces violated New Mexico’s Open Meetings Act throughout the process of selecting its new city manager earlier in 2024, an investigation by the state Department of Justice found.

www.lascrucesbulletin.com/stories/ag-o...

#LasCruces #NewMexico #openmeetings #transparency #nmpol

Open Meetings Commission finds multiple violations by local governments • South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota’s Open Meetings Commission decided Monday in Pierre that five local governments violated open meetings laws.

South Dakota’s Open Meetings Commission decided that five local governments violated #OpenMeetings laws. In one case, a complaint against a county commission came from two of that commission's own members.

Details:

southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/25/ope…

A looped image showing a car with the license plate “redacted” driving away.

Hahaha. #sunshine #openrecords #openmeetings