Open government, news media groups oppose measure Proposed state legislation that would increase fees that could be charged for public records and could limit access in certain cases is being called a “terrible anti-transparency” action by an open government advocacy group. Sen. Pat Woods, of Broadview, said that the main purpose of his proposed legislation, Senate Bill 232, is to allow public entities a way to recover the costs associated with fulfilling records requests. “Essentially this law would increase service charge fees, not to exceed the actual costs. But if there was an extensive use of technological resources or labor, then they could recover those costs,” said Woods, a Republican representing District 7, which represents parts of Curry, Quay and Union counties. Existing state law, the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), allows public bodies to charge for the costs of copies or digitally transferring files, not for the costs … [Read more...] about Public records bill could increase costs, limit access
Arizona public records
Want Public Records From the Arizona Governor’s Office? Be Prepared to Wait
But Ducey's office hasn't adopted the brisk speed and efficiency of the private sector when responding to requests for public documents, as required by Arizona law. Of the 76 public records requests processed by the governor's office in 2017, the average wait time was 3.6 months, according to a Phoenix New Times analysis of a log of records requests. The median wait time was 72 days. A handful of requests lingered in the governor's office for around a year before the records were finally turned over to the person who asked for them.Dan Barr, a local attorney who represents the First Amendment Coalition of Arizona, called the monthslong delays from Ducey's office for public records "ridiculous."“Clearly, they’re daring news organizations to sue them because public records law requires that public bodies respond promptly to a public records request," Barr said.Indeed, under Arizona law, the custodian of records at any public body must provide copies "promptly" … [Read more...] about Want Public Records From the Arizona Governor’s Office? Be Prepared to Wait
Private messaging apps undermine public record laws
Ryan J. Foley Associated Press Published 1:10 p.m. UTC Jul 22, 2018 Iowa City, Iowa – One app promotes itself as a way to discuss sensitive negotiations and human resources problems without leaving a digital record. Another boasts that disappearing messages “keep your message history tidy.” And a popular email service recently launched a “confidential mode” allowing the content of messages to disappear after a set time. The proliferation of digital tools that make text and email messages vanish may be welcome to Americans seeking to guard their privacy. But open government advocates fear they are being misused by public officials to conduct business in secret and evade transparency laws. Whether communications on those platforms should be part of the public record is a growing but unsettled debate in states across the country. Updates to transparency laws lag behind rapid technological advances, and the public and private personas of state officials … [Read more...] about Private messaging apps undermine public record laws
Montgomery: Why I sent that letter to law enforcement on public records
opinion Bill Montgomery opinion contributor Published 1:10 p.m. UTC May 30, 2018 Law enforcement in Maricopa County is noted for its collaboration and cooperation among local agencies and between local, state and federal partners. Equally collaborative is the relationship between the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners that we work with on a daily basis. Guiding our partnership are various federal and state constitutional provisions, state laws, and for prosecutors, Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor. Let's dial back the controversy Policies set forth by this office in collaboration with law enforcement already exist for domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, strangulation and officer involved shootings. These practices have been in place for years. Yet those who claim to inform the public about the work of government, or claim to fight for the public’s right to know, have not helped our … [Read more...] about Montgomery: Why I sent that letter to law enforcement on public records
Our View: Bill Montgomery only has himself to blame for public records uproar
opinion Editorial board The Republic | azcentral.com Published 1:32 p.m. UTC May 29, 2018 Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery insisted the letter he wrote and sent to Valley cities and police agencies on May 8 was in every way unremarkable. He had merely codified in writing what had been policy for three years, describing how prosecutors and police departments work together to determine what evidence can be released to media, he said. Montgomery accused The Arizona Republic of overblowing the issue and argued there’s nothing new here. Phoenix reaction: Don't tell us what to do But on Friday, top leaders at the city of Phoenix rebuffed the county attorney’s letter and policy, saying it “undermines transparency and would likely further strain police-community relations.” Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Councilwoman Thelda Williams asserted the independence of the Phoenix Police Department, the state’s largest, and backed their own … [Read more...] about Our View: Bill Montgomery only has himself to blame for public records uproar