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Most Wanted Secret Doc: Justice Dept Memo Analyzing Drone Strikes Against Suspected Terrorists

FAC August 27, 2012

In the world of secret information about powerful people, there are two sets of documents in especially high demand right now. First are Mitt Romney’s undisclosed tax returns. You already know about those. The other is a classified legal memorandum, prepared by the Justice Department, analyzing the government’s legal authority to conduct targeted killings of terrorists abroad-including, specifically, terrorists who are U.S. citizens. Interest in this memo intensified following a 2011 drone strike in Yemen

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Brown Act enforcement bill on its way to Governor’s desk

FAC August 24, 2012

The Brown Act enforcement bill, SB 1003, by Democratic Senator Leland Yee, passed the legislature today and is on its way to Governor’s desk.  The Assembly voted to approve on a 62-12 vote and the Senate approved the measure on a 24-14 vote. The bill will extend the time allowed for submitting a complaint to within nine months of the alleged Brown Act violation. The CNPA, one of the bills sponsors, explained the origins of the

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LA Times veteran Jim Newton joins FAC board

FAC August 24, 2012

We are pleased to announce that Jim Newton, editor at large of the Los Angeles Times, has joined the FAC board of directors. He serves as a member of The Times’ editorial board, advises on editorial matters and writes and edits for the editorial page and Op-Ed, including a weekly column examining the policy and politics of Southern California. Previously, he served as editor of the editorial pages, supervising the editorial board and overseeing its

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Location Privacy bill makes it through CA legislature, but will Brown sign?

FAC August 24, 2012

On Wednesday, SB 1434, a bill sponsored by Democratic Senator Mark Leno, passed the Assembly and makes its way to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown. If he signs, California will be the first state to pass a law requiring law enforcement to secure a warrant before using location data from smartphones and other GPS enabled devices. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are co-sponsors of the California legislation. Computerworld

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A&A: Can a public agency demand research fees on a public records request?

FAC August 22, 2012

Q: I asked a registrar of voters for the amount billed to a district for election costs between 2006-2008. They asked for $800 in research fees. I sent them a response citing the North County Parents case. They responded back saying that current fees are set by the County of Santa Clara’s Board of Supervisors. They cited Government Code Section 54985 as permitting them to charge this fee. Does this in fact permit them to

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