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Pennsylvania's new open records law gives you a stronger tool for keeping an eye on how government spends your money. We'll be watching, too.-
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- Public to get a better look at political TV ad spending
- Court rules Illinois law that prohibits audio recording of police in public places cannot be enforced
- When a borough is sued over holding secret meetings, what’s its defense? These 3 classic reasons
- Newspapers seek to open details of court settlement involving Marcellus Shale companies
- Bill would offer more transparency in school superintendent buyouts
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- Scott Blanchard on Searchable data: Schools, crime and more
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- Scott Blanchard on Are fire companies subject to Pa.’s right to know law?
- Scott Blanchard on Are fire companies subject to Pa.’s right to know law?
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Monthly Archives: August 2009
Story behind the story
I got back to work Wednesday afternoon after a vacation, and settled in to catch up on the news. One of the first things on my plate was writing a story about Stanley Silver, the Democratic nominee for the open … Continue reading
Got a tip? Here’s a way to let us know
We’re looking for your public-records story ideas, and here’s a great way to let us know about something you’d like us to look into. (The form below* is accessible via the link “Submit a tip” at the top of this … Continue reading
York County joins crime-victim notification service
A service that notifies people of the arrest, transfer or escape of county jail inmates will be online in York County Thursday, according to the county district attorney’s office. Law enforcement and other officials will officially announce Thursday that York … Continue reading
Posted in Judicial records, Scott Blanchard
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If you pay for federal and bankrupcty court records, read this …
… because you might be able to get those docs for free. Some people at Princeton University have unveiled a Firefox extension that aims to create a public repository of free federal/bankruptcy court records.* It’s called RECAP — which is … Continue reading
Posted in Judicial records, Online records
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Read a little
You might have to be a bit geeky (or really, really into following the money) to get immersed in state contracts … but you can if you want, through the state’s online listing of those contracts. It’s linked to on … Continue reading
Posted in Online records, Scott Blanchard
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A jury of your peers …
Should courts be allowed to operate in private whenever they want? A defendant in a Georgia drug case wants the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision that it’s OK for Georgia judges to bar the public … Continue reading
Posted in Judicial records, Scott Blanchard
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York Twp. bills its own
York Township is charging one of its own for information he has requested on an issue he wants to bring before the board. Some township commissioners have complained about what they deem to be excessive public records requests that take … Continue reading
Fun with public records
This post — ‘Eleven public records for fun features,’ — is directed at journalists, since it’s from the Society of Professional Journalists’ FOIFYI blog. But they’re really ideas for anyone who has the curiosity and time to look into. These … Continue reading
Posted in FOIA, Scott Blanchard
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Cue rolling of eyes: Gov’t blacks out details in contract for stimulus transparency
ProPublica.org has this report, the result of a Freedom of Information Act request to see the proposal/contract between the federal government and a software company that would produce the recovery.org web site, the place where you’re supposed to be able … Continue reading
Posted in FOIA, Scott Blanchard
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RTK law playing defense
Continuing on a recent theme here: The state’s new right to know law, which took effect about 8 months ago and brought Pennsylvania out of the Dark Ages of open records policies, is a target of individuals, groups and even … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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