NC Open Government

From the Raleigh News and Observer (7/14/09): The state House approved a measure that would make it more likely governments that lose public records lawsuits would have to pay attorneys' fees for the people who sued seeking documents. The aim is to make it easier for citizens to obtain public records.

From the Greenville Daily Reflector (7/12/09): The shades lifted, if only slightly, this week to allow more sunshine to illuminate the operations of North Carolina government. An advancing public records bill and a new policy regarding e-mail were welcome steps toward the open and public environment Raleigh should vigorously cultivate.

From the Blue Ridge Times-News (7/9/09): North Carolina legislators have a rare opportunity this year to strengthen the state's weak open government laws.

From the Charlotte Observer (7/9/09): On her first day as governor, Bev Perdue pledged to increase government transparency.

From WRAL.com (7/9/09): Gov. Beverly Perdue has replaced an order signed by her predecessor reinforcing that most e-mails sent or received by executive-branch employees can't be immediately deleted so they can be preserved to comply with public records laws.

From the Raleight News and Observer (7/8/09): People and media organizations that successfully sue North Carolina governments for public records would be more likely to recover their legal fees under legislation approved Wednesday by a House panel.

From the Charlotte Observer (7/8/09): Lobbyists for North Carolina's local government officials are resisting legislation that would force governments to pay legal fees after losing a lawsuit to release documents.

From the Wilmington Star-News (7/7/09): During the past year, 18 top Wilmington officials sent or received more than 36,000 e-mails marked as “private” and shielded from public view.

From the Fayetteville Observer (7/5/09): A group of city, county and chamber officials met last week to talk about an idea that has been kicked around for years with no progress: building a parking deck in downtown Fayetteville.

From the Raleigh News and Observer (7/4/09): We weren't too surprised to hear that a recent study rated Apex as one of the state's least transparent municipalities. Transparent, as in open government, access to public records, all that jazz.