Access to Meetings News

Senate Republicans kill law requiring disclosure of campaign contributors

As expected, the law requiring independent groups to publish the names of contributors of more than $10,000 used mainly for ads in political campaigns died in the U.S. Senate. Democrats introduced the law to amp the issue of transparency in the November election. -db From The Washington Post, July 16, 2012, by Rosalind S. Helderman. Full story  

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California: Palo Alto school board denies open meeting violations

Palo Alto school board members struck back at critics who accused them of violating the Brown Act, California’s open meeting law. The board was under fire from the Palo Alto Weekly for a confidential memo from the superintendent to board members. -db From the Palo Alto Weekly, June 1, 2012, by Chris Kenrick. Full story  

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California: Citizens need not state addresses to address San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is guilty of violation the Brown Act, California’s open meeting law, by  pretending that citizens had to provide their home addresses before addressing the board, writes Sharon Gilbert for the Los Angeles County Political Buzz Examiner. The issue arose over a dispute over creation of an animal services oversight commission. -db From a commentary for the Los Angeles County Political Buzz Examiner, June 1, 2012, by Sharon Gilbert.

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Government lags in releasing 50-year-old records on JFK assassination

Government agencies in control of the records of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination are less than forthcoming in their stance on releasing the 50,000 pages of documents. To date, writes Russ Baker for Business Insider, there have been no creditable explanations for withholding the documents. -db From a commentary for Business Insider, May 31, 2012, by Russ Baker. Full story      

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