Del. ranks low in transparency
October 28, 2008: Delaware found itself near the bottom of a state-by-state ranking of open government, transparency and ethics regulations released Monday.
The Better Government Association, a nonpartisan government watchdog group, ranked Delaware 43rd on an index that measured factors including freedom of information legislation, whistleblower protection, campaign finance, open-meetings statutes and conflict-of-interest regulations. The organization last ranked states in 2002; Delaware was 38th on the list then. Read the full article here.
DCIU adjusting to right-to-know rules
October 2, 2008: Changes in the state's right-to-know laws will impact all public entities, including Delaware County Intermediate Unit. The DCIU board approved the first reading of a revised policy on public records to reflect those changes.
DCIU Solicitor Michael Puppio outlined the fundamental change. Puppio said the prior standard put the burden of proof of need on the party requesting a document.
The new law essentially requires access to information by schools, municipalities and other public entities on request. Read the full article here.
Kramer keeps watchful eye on county council comings and goings
September 9, 2008: He sits as far in the back of the room as possible, but he catches every word said – even the muttered ones – at Sussex County Council meetings.
Then at the end of just about every meeting, he saunters up the middle of the aisle like an usher getting ready to drop off the collection plate. But his weekly offering is usually one of barbed criticism on one matter or another discussed during the meeting.
“This is Dan Kramer…” he starts off, although he needs no introduction because everyone who has attended more than one county council meeting knows him. Read the full article here.
House chips away at public records
June 30, 2008: Fewer details about voters would be available to the public under legislation approved in the House late Monday.
H.B. 481, sponsored by Rep. V. George Carey, R-Slaughter Neck, would exclude voter lists from provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Read the full story here.
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