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Showing 1031 - 1040 of 1082 results

  • Latest News

    Blog

    Secrecy surrounding public employees’ pay & benefits makes mockery of democracy

    […] come before them---issues that dwarf all others by orders of magnitude---those same elected officials revert to total secrecy. I am referring to decisions on compensation and benefits for public employees--which, for most cities and counties in California, consume north of 80 percent of all government spending. Regardless of one’s party affiliation or views about […]

    June 24, 2015

  • Asked and Answered

    First Amendment

    Blogger’s identity exposed, and legal threats made against her

    I am writing today for guidance regarding my rights as a blogger. I am the author of a cosmetics complaints blog and creator and one of the admins of the complaints Facebook Page. The blog and page initially were started in an effort to obtain a refund from a cosmetics company due to sanitation […]

    November 21, 2011

  • Asked and Answered

    Brown Act

    Is it a Brown Act violation to move item from closed to open session?

    […] when councilmembers voted 5-0 to move a closed-session item, described only with the name of an individual to the Regular Agenda. Can you tell me if it was proper for the City Council to move a closed-session item to the Regular Agenda during the Open Meeting without proper notice that it would be discussed in open […]

    March 13, 2014

  • Asked and Answered

    First Amendment

    Can CA legally charge fees for filming on private property?

    Is it legal for Los Angeles County to charge a fee to film on private property when no public roads or public services are needed? Isn't this against constitutional rights to free speech?

    May 14, 2015

  • Asked and Answered

    Brown Act CPRA

    Recording public’s comments in board minutes

    The Brown Act, which governs the public's right of access to public meetings of legislative bodies, and provides for things such as public comment, does not require legislative bodies of local agencies to keep minutes of meetings or to tape their meetings. And, even if they choose to do so, it does not address […]

    June 14, 2009

  • Asked and Answered

    CPRA

    Costs soar for City Council meeting DVDs

    I know that cities cannot charge for staff time when it comes to making photocopies in public records requests. Does this extend to DVDs as well? It appears we are being charged staff time, so DVDs now cost $18each. Previously I was able to get them free by bringing in a blank DVD disc, […]

    September 5, 2011

  • Asked and Answered

    CPRA

    Cal Expo Data

    […] They typically will post this on their website in the form of a PDF file and in a magazine they produce. However, the wine industry has asked for an online system that is searchable, something my company has developed and provides free of charge. The data is actually in my possession due to my […]

    June 14, 2009

  • Latest News

    Brown signs anti-sunshine bill, setting up 1st Amdt battle. Do labor rights trump democracy?

    BY PETER SCHEER—Jerry Brown is often praised for his political independence, for his willingness to make policy choices that he thinks are right on the merits, even if it means angering poerful constituencies. But there are limits. They were reached in the latest legislative term in the Governor’s decision to sign legislation drafted and […]

    October 27, 2015

  • Latest News

    Blog

    SCOTUS is about to bring down hammer on public sector unions. That will be good for democracy, not so good for freedom of speech.

    […] positions with which they may disagree, constitute "coerced speech" in violation of the first amendment. The Court’s prior cases have permitted these arrangements as necessary to pay for collective bargaining activities---which benefit union members and nonmembers alike---subject to the proviso that nonmembers must be able to obtain a refund for overtly political activities, like […]

    January 20, 2016