public records
An attempt to weaken Arkansas public records law fails in committee
Citizens prevailed over government secrecy Wednesday night in one of two skirmishes over your right to know. After nearly three hours of testimony, much of it from citizens who identified themselves as Republicans, the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee rejected a proposal that would have “disemboweled” the state’s public records law, as one […]
Rep. Ray escalates the assault on the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act
The attack on your right to know the hows and whys of government decisions in Arkansas grows more intense in the 94th General Assembly. Legislation filed Monday by Republican Rep. David Ray of Maumelle bulldozes the public records portion of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act of 1967. House Bill 1726 hides the following documents […]
Sunshine breaks through? Three bills cast a ray of hope
Just in time for Sunshine Week come several bills affecting Arkansas’ landmark Freedom of Information Act. Usually, legislative proposals involving the FOIA seek to remove more records or government activity from public scrutiny, not make things more transparent. In fact, a couple such bills have been filed in the current session. But I’d like to […]