From the Hendersonville (N.C.) Times-News (3/20/09): A survey by the Associated Press ranked North Carolina near the top in posting public records on the Internet.
We were surprised, frankly, to see North Carolina highly ranked in any measure of public records, given the weak access to public employees’ personnel files and the overly broad exemptions from the Opening Meetings Law.
But we rise today to praise, not condemn, because any progress in open government deserves applause.
Especially at a time when bailouts, pork barrel politics and questionable competence have eroded confidence in government, it’s more important than ever to make government open, transparent and accountable. Digital access is a good way to do that.
The AP recognized the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Web site, which lists updates for every road project. The Attorney General’s Office allows users to file consumer complaints.
We have found the school report cards on the Department of Public Instruction Web site to be valuable and user friendly, providing facts and comparisons on everything from class size to test performance to teacher qualifications.
In the AP’s 50-state survey, conducted as part of the annual Sunshine Week campaign, teams of journalists and journalism students searched government Web sites in every state to look for 20 kinds of public records. North Carolina ranked third, with access to 17.
The categories included school test scores, financial disclosures, audit reports, transportation projects, fraudulent registration of business names, disciplinary actions against lawyers and physicians, and inspection reports for hospitals, nursing homes, child care centers, bridges, school buildings and school buses.
Surveyors assessed whether the information was up-to-date and clearly linked, whether full reports were available and whether viewing and downloading were free.
“Digital technologies can be a great catalyst for democracy, but the state of access today is quite uneven,” said Charles Davis, executive director of the National Freedom of Information Coalition.
“The future of freedom of information is online access, and states have a long way to go to fulfill the promise of electronic self-governance.”
We have found that Henderson County and local cities, especially Hendersonville, are doing a better job all the time posting public records.
County Manager Steve Wyatt is a big believer in paper reduction, and the county has certainly cut down on the use of paper by posting agendas and detailed backup material. The city of Hendersonville does the same for City Council and Planning Board meetings.
On a larger scale, both President Obama and Gov. Perdue have promised to make all economic stimulus spending transparent. At a time when taxpayers are concerned about the huge ramp-up in spending, that would be a good start.
Times-News Staff Editorial