A federal district judge ordered that reports on the conditions of jails and prisoners in San Diego County be made public as information the public should have access to. Three local news outlets wanted the reports to see if they would reveal a pattern of neglect in the jails. (Courthouse News Service, May 31, 2023, by Sam Ribakoff)
After The Californian failed to turn over notes of a jail interview, a Kern County Superior Court judge ruled the newspaper in contempt. A public defender is seeking a reporter’s notes that she claims will help exonerate her client charged with first degree murder. The Californian is claiming the California Shield Law protects reporters’ right to withhold unpublished notes. (Bakersfield.com, May 24, 2023, by Ishnani Desai)
The Los Angeles Times is holding county supervisors to account for alleged violation of the Brown Act, the state’s open meeting law, for discussing policy on juvenile justice in a closed meeting. Under the Brown Act, closed sessions are only permitted for matters of litigation and personnel. (Pasadena Now, May 31, 2023, by City News Service)
An editorial in the Pleasanton Weekly, June 1, 2023, contends that a majority on the city council is intent on muzzling the lone dissenter who often posts the reasons for his opposition on social media.
A story in the San Jose Mercury News, May 25, 2023, by Henry Groth and Michael Krey, praised the Santa Clara County Grand Jury for its contribution to improving local government. They lauded the report on the San Francisco 49ers and city of Santa Clara on their private meetings that may have violated the Brown Act.
A recall is underway in the Gateway Unified School District in Redding as a citizens group alleged a number of problems including a violation of the Brown Act in a January meeting that did not include public input. (Action News Now, May 23, 2023, by Will Anderson)
The county district attorney said the Ojai City Council violated the Brown Act by holding a closed session to discuss a lawsuit that did not stick to the topic. One of the council members also violated the law by disclosing in open sessions items discussed in closed session. (Ventura County Star, May 16, 2023, by Wes Woods II)
FAC’s David Loy says West Sacramento is violating the Brown Act by charging $150 a seat for the mayor’s State of the City address. “Any time you have a majority of the City Council gathering at one time and place to hear, discuss deliberate or vote on city business that is a meeting governed by the Brown Act. Under the Brown Act all meetings of the city council must be open to the public and the public has the right to attend and participate,” said Loy. The city claims there is not discussion of city business so the meeting is in compliance with the Brown Act. (ABC10, May 17, 2023, by Devin Trubey)
The district attorney said the Plumas County supervisors may have violated the Brown Act by reading a letter at a board meeting on May 2 responding to the sheriff’s request for pay raises for his staff. The letter never appeared on a board agenda so it may have been approved with serial meetings. (Plumas News, May 10, 2023, by Debra Moore)
The San Luis Obispo County supervisors may have violated the Brown Act by not appointing an interim county administrative officer in a public meeting. The supervisors selected the administrator in closed session, then made the announcement without indicating details of the vote. (Cal Coast News, May 1, 2023, by Karen Velie)
The ACLU of Southern California accused the Central Basin Municipal Water District of shutting down a citizen during public comment time. A critic of the board was ejected from the meeting for mentioning criminal charges pending against the district general manager. (Los Angeles Times, April 28, 2023, by Dorany Pineda with contributions from Ian James)
The student newspaper of Orange Coast College argues that AB1275, now under consideration in the state legislature, would allow college organizations like the associated students to meet online behind closed doors without posting an agenda beforehand. “There shouldn’t be any reason for any form of government to meet behind outside of public view particularly our student government.” reads the editorial. “A democracy can’t function with legislators withholding public records or holding meetings outside the public sphere.” (Coast Report, April 28, 2023, by Coast Report Editorial Board)
A group of Christian nationalists filed a complaint with The Anderson Unified School District alleging the board violated the Brown Act by establishing an ad hoc committee to consider changes to polices on discrimination and counseling that affect LGBTQ+ students. (anewscafe.com, April 19, 2023, by R.V. Scheide)