TRANSPARENCY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, GOOD--TRANSPARENCY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BAD
click here
There is much talk about people's right to know the business of their gov't.
But, the release of that information is not self-executing. It takes a hell of a hot of careful work to avoid pain for innocent people. Yes, this is an extreme example but the public doesn't, and shouldn't, have the right to know everything on cue.
If nothing else, this shows somebody didn't put the attention on the fulfillment of this request it deserved.
Food for thought. Overapplication of sunshine laws can cause sunburn.
posted by UMRBlog @ 10:17
13 comments
13 Comments:
The link is broken ....... where is it from ???
Peoria Journal Star. Can't fix it right now cuz blogger's doing maint.
TYFCB
Is this a roundabout way of you commenting on the Whig's request for all e-mails pertaining to firegate?
1638,
Uh, no. It's a way of pointing out that the statewide and incessant call for increased "sunlight" provisions is both an unfunded mandate and, unless reviewed very diligently, has severe downsides.
In other words, this is taking a current event and trying to provoke a policy discussion. Jump in if you want to join in.
TYFCB
Well someone in P-Town that does your job F***ed up ! It wasn't the law but the lack of ability to perform a Job that screwed this pooch !
I know for a fact that you WOULD never approve that infor getting out & if someone made a SNAFU and let it out ........
Their @ss would be standing Tall in front of "Unka" T and praying to both Jesus & Allah !
That UNKA spelling has caught on for me on my first try !
Uh, no. It's a way of pointing out that the statewide and incessant call for increased "sunlight" provisions is both an unfunded mandate and, unless reviewed very diligently, has severe downsides.
Seriously? How much diligence does it take not to release SS#'s. I do it everyday. I don't even have any lawyering training. Is it an "unfunded mandate" that stupid people not have access to other people" SS#? Your job is not that difficult.
Just read the exceptions section (7) of the Illinois FOIA and tell me how easy it is and how it is not both expensive and time-consuming.
Yeah, releasing TIN's is a pretty low tech screwup but there are a lotta pages that have to be read for both liability and compliance...Plus Illinois has more municipal government units than any other state.
I'll counter that link with this one.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/06/12/idtheft.internet/index.html
How much time would you say you spend each week, on the average, processing FOIA requests?
On average, about 6 hours (out of about 20 hours, on average working for the City). Four actually reviewing, one training/explaining and another one writing to requestors or regulators.
But it can get extreme. In one unusual case a few weeks ago, I had 14 hours in one week working on one request.
On the other hand, there are a few weeks where I just do it for an hour on one day. The six total is an average.
For Peoria or Decatur, it's gotta be a full time job for somebody.
TYFCB
The P J-S story is here:
www.pjstar.com/stories/022208/TRI_BFRT8IHF.025.php
I don't see the story as any sort of evidence that sunshine laws go too far. I see it as an instance in which they were not carefully administered.
In my opinion, both the Missouri and the Iowa Sunshine Laws are substantially superior to Illinois'.
It would make my point better if they disclosed the name and address of a sexual assault victim but this is what I had to work with. The point is the mindless clamor for government disclosing "everything" has some downsides.
Having said that, I would be interested in how you think the Iowa Sunshine Package is superior to Illinois because I have worked with the current Iowa iteration and I think it puts employers in some dicey spots. What specifically do you like better about it.
TYFCB. It's always appreciated.
Correct me if this is out of date, but last time I looked, the Illinois law exempted "records that may infringe on personal privacy," which to me is an enormous catchall loophole. The Iowa law exemptions were much more specific: personal information regarding public school students, hospital and medical records, trade secrets, peace officers' investigative reports, and attorney work related to litigation.
That's why I believe the Iowa law is better....it has a clearer and narrower set of exemptions.
Post a Comment
<< Home