Tag: Open Government

Reynolds’ open-records lawsuit against the Register is disturbing and dangerous

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by: MinotVoice  |  

When a sitting governor sues a newspaper for requesting public records, it’s not just a legal maneuver—it’s a shot across the bow of open government. In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds has flipped the script, dragging the _Des Moines Register_ into court over four withheld emails, claiming executive privilege where state law doesn’t grant it. It’s

Read & Share   sourced from: Iowa Capital Dispatch

Our opinion: Public comment law is a good idea, but should be happening already

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by: MinotVoice  |  

It shouldn’t take a state law to guarantee public comment at local government meetings—but that’s exactly what’s moving through the North Dakota Legislature. Senate Bill 2180 would require city councils, school boards, and other local bodies to set aside time for public input at every regular meeting. Most already do. Some still don’t. That’s the

Read & Share   sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Police remove public commenter from Dickinson City Commission meeting after threats, disruption

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by: MinotVoice  |  

A city meeting in Dickinson erupted Tuesday night when a known out-of-town agitator refused to give up the podium during a public comment opportunity, prompting his removal by police. Ryan Messano, who’s gained a reputation for inflammatory remarks targeting women and minority groups, escalated tensions by invoking the Second Amendment during a heated exchange with

Read & Share   sourced from: Dickinson Press

North Dakota House passes bill requiring public comment at local governing body meetings

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by: MinotVoice  |  

A bill requiring public comment at all regular meetings of local government bodies is one step closer to becoming law in North Dakota. The House passed Senate Bill 2180 in an 85-4 vote, sending it back to the Senate for final approval. The bill mandates that cities, counties, school boards, and other political subdivisions provide

Read & Share   sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Fargo lawmaker who filed most records requests through Legislative Council says requests shouldn’t be public

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Rep. Jim Kasper filed more public records requests than any other North Dakota lawmaker this session—then expressed regret that those requests were public. His comments came during Sunshine Week, a national initiative celebrating government transparency. Among Kasper’s nine requests were records targeting school policies on transgender students and inquiries into potential conflicts of interest involving

Read & Share   sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

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Minot Mayor Under Investigation as City Debates Personnel Record Access

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Minot Mayor Tom Ross is under investigation, but details remain undisclosed. The inquiry began in late January, and city officials have cited state law in withholding records until mid-April. Meanwhile, Minot representatives recently supported legislation that would have restricted public access to personnel records, though the bill failed in the Senate. City Manager Harold Stewart

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

Requiring public comment period at local meetings debated at North Dakota Legislature

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Sen. Bob Paulson of Minot is advocating for Senate Bill 2180, which aims to enhance public engagement during local government meetings in North Dakota. The proposed legislation would require local boards to open a public comment period at least once a month, allowing residents to speak on diverse topics, not just those on the meeting’s

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

The ‘GOAT’: Lawmakers unveil plan to update Nebraska regulations, cut red tape

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Nebraska’s lawmakers are taking a swing at modernizing state regulations with a policy package they’ve dubbed “GOAT”—Government Oversight, Accountability, and Transparency. This multi-step plan aims to trim bureaucratic fat, keeping pace with, and even mirroring, similar national and state efforts. Led by former State Sen. Laura Ebke and a cohort of dedicated officials, these proposed

Read & Share   sourced from: Nebraska Examiner

Council Votes 4-3 to Release Records on Nok Back Tavern Discussions

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

On a 4-3 vote, Minot City Council voted to release executive session records from April 15th and May 6th related to the purchase of the Nok Back Tavern properties. This story is part of ongoing coverage of the land acquisition that has raised questions on executive session practices and transparency. An Attorney General Opinion has

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I’d Rather See Them Make the Sausage!

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Before you agreed to make an offer and start a negotiating process, you must have first become convinced that you wanted to make the offer at all, right?

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This Level of Transparency Isn’t Good Enough For Me

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

On May 6th, at 4:49 p.m. at a Special City Council Meeting, Minot City Council entered what is known as an executive session to consider two agenda items. The one germane to this commentary is included here: 3. EXECUTIVE SESSION: POTENTIAL LAND PURCHASE. The topic of discussion will be regarding a potential land purchase by

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Minot City Council Agenda & Alderman Comments, February 19, 2019

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Minot’s City Council will meet Tuesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. The full agenda along with the comments of one Alderman can be found below. 1. ROLL CALL 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PERSONAL APPEARANCES 4. PUBLIC HEARING Alderman Notes: On each of the public hearing/second reading items below, I expect to approve. That said, I’m

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City Council Agenda, February 4, 2019

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Outlined below are the agenda items for the City of Minot’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting for February 4, 2019. Also included are brief comments of one Alderman. Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 4, 2019 at 5:30 PM City Council Chambers – City Hall Any person needing special accommodation for the meeting is requested

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Public engagement in local decisions evolving rapidly on the shoulders of technology

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

How do we awaken citizens from their apathy and get them engaged with the decisions being made in their communities? One town in Colorado made an investment in technology, trashed the traditional model that only allowed input at live meetings, and catered to the lives of their citizens. The result is a cross-section of public

Read & Share   sourced from: Strong Towns

Pitbulls… Lovable? Yes. Dangerous? That too.

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

None of that changes the fact that as a City Council member, I’ve got the job of deciding the issue. Mark your calendars, our meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 17th.

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‘We hereby declare!’ Young citizens take oath in special Children’s Museum event

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

When it comes to immigration formalities, the children of naturalized parents and those adopted by American parents are often notified by of their citizenship by a letter in the mail. But at a recent ceremony at the Children’s Museum of Minnesota, the full oath and recognition of the occasion were celebrated. The Star Tribune has

Read & Share   sourced from: Star Tribune