Sunshine Week in the States, Volume 1

Well, kids, it’s Sunshine Week, which means every news outlet is putting a spotlight on transparency. Here’s a little round-up mix of preachy editorials, investigative work, and updates on what some of my fellow groups are doing to open up this musty government of ours.

* Minnesota- The Minnesota Freedom Foundation wrote an op-ed printed in the Duluth News Tribune that praised work to build a statewide transparency database, but pointed out some very disturbing trends. These concerns include groups circumventing open meetings laws by hosting “workshops”, restricting or banning coverage of the legislature by old and new media outlets, withholding draft documents (including budgets) from the public, and banning citizens from recording government meetings.

* Michigan - Attorney General Mike Cox hosted an hour-long presentation on the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act. He said when there is less money to go around, people want to make sure it is being spent wisely.

* Maryland - Marta Mossburg from the DCexaminer.com wrote about some ideas for greater local transparency.

* Mississippi - The Laurel Leader-Call highlighted a few important transparency activists throughout the country, including the creator of WikiFOIA, which is now a portal on Sunshine Review.

More of these tomorrow.