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Public Records Act

California: Local governments feeling budget squeeze on enforcing open meeting law

donal brown May 15, 2011

Observers are expecting some slippage in enforcing the Brown Act, now that the state Legislature cut the $17 million reimbursement to local governments to cover the costs of enforcement. Monterey County alone is on the hook for $140,000 in Brown Act enforcement. The county is opposed to a bill by a Watsonville assemblyman to require posting agendas and staff reports on websites because it would be another unfunded mandate. -db From the Monterey County Weekly,

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A&A: School personnel campaigning on public dime

FAC October 27, 2010

Q: Can I request emails from the school district without using an attorney? I want to request emails between the superintendent and other employees, assistant superintendent and union reps, and board members and school employees? Reason: I have seen hard evidence that they are campaigning on school time, using equipment to run campaigning materials and requesting contributions for incumbents during school time. Please let me know. A: Members of the public can request public records

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A&A: Council-elect make decisions, but claim documents are not public

FAC October 21, 2010

Q: I cover an unincorporated community that voted in June to incorporate. Voters approved incorporation and also elected a five-member council.  A committee has been formed to raise private funds to put on a celebration on mark the historic occasion. Two elected members of the city council-elect (who will not be sworn in until the day of the celelbration) serve on this committee. My questions: is this committee considered private? Am I entitled to the

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Tulare: Vice mayor resigns to settle lawsuits over violations of open government laws

donal brown October 12, 2010

Members of the Tulare City Council admitted violations of California’s Public Records Act and the Brown Act, the state’s open meeting law, and the vice mayor resigned as part of the settlement of lawsuits filed against the city and two members of the council. -db Tulare Advance-Register October 11, 2010 By Staff Vice Mayor Phil Vandegrift stepped down from the Tulare City Council as part of a preliminary settlement agreement of three lawsuits levied against

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Open records dispute: Judge orders university to release contract with Palin

donal brown August 26, 2010

A Superior Court judge has ordered California State University of Stanislaus to comply with public records laws and release a speakers contract with Sarah Palin. -db San Francisco Chronicle August 26, 2010 By Nanette Asimov California State University at Stanislaus violated public records laws and will have to release the speakers contract with Sarah Palin it had tried to keep secret, a judge has ruled. The details of Palin’s contract to speak at a June

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