Posts Tagged ‘open meetings’
Lawmakers, critics debate legislative transparency
Hawaii leaders say one of the highlights of the 2013 legislative session was greater transparency in the lawmaking process.
Philly bars media from investors’ conference
The city of Philadelphia has decided to bar reporters from an investors’ conference to be held later this week, drawing objections from several news media organizations that say the event should be open to public scrutiny.
Ga. colleges can close discipline hearings, state official says
But assistant attorney general tells University of Georgia that state’s ‘Open Meetings Act does not authorize a blanket closure of all (student) disciplinary hearings.’
5th Circuit upholds Texas open-meetings law
Three-judge panel rejects city officials’ claim that statute meant to ensure open government actually stifled their free speech.
N.J. high court: Rutgers board violated open-meetings laws
Justices say public notice for 2008 board of governors meeting failed to specify items on the agenda but instead gave a general description of session’s focus.
Politeness policy dies amid Calif. council bickering
Menifee officials mostly argued about a sentence that asked them to discuss disagreements privately instead of sniping at each other at meetings.
Ill. governor: Public to get more notice about meetings
Law will require public bodies holding an open meeting to post information on the gathering and its agenda on the Internet 48 hours before the event.
Federal judge grants Tenn. mosque’s petition to open
Islamic Center of Murfreesboro sued county officials yesterday, asking for an emergency order to let worshippers into the building before the holy month of Ramadan starts at sundown today.
Gay-marriage meetings didn’t break laws, says N.Y. court
Appellate judges reject challenge brought by same-sex marriage foes over closed-door negotiations among senators, other officials before 2011 law’s passage.
Tenn. judge blocks occupancy certificate for new mosque
But Chancellor Robert Corlew refuses to halt construction, saying his earlier decision voiding approval for Islamic Center of Murfreesboro isn’t enforceable until after 30-day appeal period.
Tenn. judge won’t stop mosque construction
Court says officials violated open-meetings law when they approved site plan for Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, but says mosque opponents must begin new court action to halt building.
Tenn. court voids approval of mosque construction
Work likely will be stopped after judge rules officials didn’t give public adequate notice before meeting where they approved site plan for Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.
Ky. high court voids ex-school chief’s contract
Justices say Bourbon County district doesn’t owe former official any more money because he reached deal in illegal closed-door meeting.
Ruling: Mich. financial-review teams not subject to open-meetings law
State Court of Appeals decisions in Detroit, Flint cases could allow future panels to act without holding public hearings.
Iowa governor signs open-government measure
Legislation creates Iowa Public Information Board, which will have the power to oversee compliance by state agencies, school districts, cities and county boards.
The First Amendment Center is an educational organization and cannot provide legal advice.
Ken Paulson is president and chief executive officer of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University and in Washington, D.C. Previously, Paulson served as the editor and senior vice president/news of USA Today.
Gene Policinski, senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center and president and chief operating officer of the Diversity Institute, is a veteran journalist whose career has included work in newspapers, radio, television and online.
John Seigenthaler founded the First Amendment Center in 1991 with the mission of creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values.
Dr. Charles C. Haynes is director of the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum. He writes and speaks extensively on religious liberty and religion in American public life.
David L. Hudson Jr. is an expert in First Amendment issues who writes for firstamendmentcenter.org and for other publications. Hudson teaches law and was a scholar at the First Amendment Center.
Tiffany Villager is director/First Amendment studies at the First Amendment Center, which she joined in 1993. She also served as the center’s research manager and research coordinator, and developed the center’s library.
