Records

Louisiana Legislature Pushes Bills to Curtail Public Records Law, Threatening Transparency and Vigilance

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The Louisiana Public Records Law, which plays a crucial role in maintaining transparency and accountability in government, is threatened by a wave of bills currently being considered in the state legislature. If these bills pass, they could undermine the public’s access to vital information. Without a strong public records law, there can be no vigilance from citizens, leaving room for potential misconduct and secrecy. One bill of particular concern is Senate Bill 482, introduced by Sen. Heather Cloud. This bill seeks to revive and expand upon former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s “deliberative … Read more

Lawsuit Alleges Chicago Mayor’s Administration Withholding Public Records on Migrant Crisis, Impacting Public Trust

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Chicago, Illinois – NBC 5 Investigates has filed a lawsuit against the administration of Mayor Brandon Johnson, accusing the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications of withholding public records related to the migrant crisis. The news organization has been reporting on the conditions inside migrant shelters and environmental concerns at proposed migrant base camps, as well as tracking the public funds spent on the crisis. In an effort to obtain more information, NBC 5 Investigates submitted several public records requests regarding the city’s operational response, strategy, and conditions within migrant shelters. These … Read more

Federal Judge Questions Use of Presidential Records Act in Trump’s Classified Documents Case

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MIAMI, Florida – Federal Judge Aileen Cannon has issued an order for lawyers to submit instructions for a trial jury in former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case. This decision highlights the ongoing debate over whether Trump had the authority to withhold documents from his White House, which could shape the outcome of the trial. What makes Cannon’s request unusual is her inclusion of the Presidential Records Act (PRA) in the trial. This unexpected move has left legal experts confused about her intentions. It appears that Cannon wants the attorneys involved to consider how the … Read more

Kentucky House Passes Controversial Bill Threatening Open Records Law in Just 9 Minutes

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Frankfort, Kentucky – The House of Representatives engaged in a brief nine-minute floor debate on March 12, discussing House Bill 509. This legislation aims to introduce loopholes into open records law, potentially reversing years of established rights to public access. Despite the significant impact this bill could have on transparency and accountability, the opposition to HB 509 was surprisingly lackluster. Sponsored by Rep. John Hodgson, the bill was presented as an effort to address the challenges posed by the increased use of electronic communication in conducting public business. The proposed solution involves assigning public email … Read more