Editorial: Lockup, closed doors can't shut out sunshine
November 20, 2008: When it comes to open records compliance, things seem to have gotten better in Wisconsin over the last decade. But there's still not enough, "Let me see how I can help you?" and too much "Why do you want that?" at our sheriff office windows and clerk counters.
The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council and partner the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication released a report detailing their statewide test of open records custodians. As they did in 1999, the partners mustered a network of reporters and citizens to ask for four public records around Wisconsin – from school board closed session minutes to documents detailing town governments' legal fees. There was nothing sneaky about the project. The requestors sought guaranteed public records and public information. According to the report, there were varying degrees of compliance. Read the full editorial here.
Nearly 10% of public records requests wrongly denied, statewide audit finds
November 19, 2008: Three in 10 requests made under the state's public records law were not properly fulfilled, according to a statewide audit released today by open records advocates.
In 31 cases - nearly 10% - requests for simple records were denied or ignored, according to the audit by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Read the full article here.
Dane County may refuse e-mailed open records request
November 18, 2008: If you want to see public records from the city of Madison, a simple e-mail will get a response.
But ask to see records relating to the workings of Dane County government, and you may be told to send it by snail mail.
This year the two governments clarified their policies on how they process requests for public information. But while the city now accommodates e-mailed requests, the county's policy conflicts with the state attorney general's take on state law. Read the full article here.
| 
