Brechner Freedom of Information Project

A new bill is making its way through the Wisconsin State Legislature that could bring the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) under the state’s public records and open meetings laws.  According to reporting from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, State Rep. Cindi Duchow and Sen. Cory Tomczyk are co-sponsoring the legislation,…

The Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) launched today a national Secrecy Tracker to help identify legislation that threatens the public’s access to government records and meetings.  The tool allows anyone for free to see what bills are…

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, has signaled that expanding the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include top government offices is not a priority for him.   Michigan is one of only two states that fully exempts the governor and lawmakers from public records requests. …

A recent study published in Regulation & Governance found that German states that require government agencies to be proactive and helpful in providing records to the public are more likely to respond better to public record requests.  The study looked at over 100,000 public records requests submitted to more than…

In a recent article in the Emory Law Journal, law student Maranda Johnston critiques the growing use of trade secret exemptions by private companies to withhold vital information from the public. These exemptions, she argues, allow companies to avoid transparency and scrutiny, even when the information they possess could be…

House Bill 100 proposed in the Montana Legislature sounds good on the surface, touted as streamlining the process. But the details indicate otherwise.  The legislative sponsors say the legislation will help set deadlines and fees. However, based on our research, several key provisions of the bill would make access to…

A study published in the Lincoln Memorial University Law Review argues that expunging felony and misdemeanor conviction records has societal benefits with “minimal side effects.“ Authored by Meganne Lee-Rogers, the study examines the growing number of states passing laws to expunge criminal convictions.  Lee-Rogers found that 12 states, including New…

In a new lawsuit, a former high–profile Utah State employee alleges that two of his ex-bosses have been engaging in conversations on a messaging app that automatically deletes texts, to subvert the state’s open record laws.   Originally reported by The Salt Lake Tribune, the claim is detailed in one of…

The Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project would like your suggestions on this online form for how to make Sunshine Fest 2025 a success in identifying solutions to the most pressing issues in freedom of information.  Sunshine Fest is intended to bring together a broad array of interests to…

MuckRock and the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project are teaming up to launch a contest to celebrate Sunshine Fest 2025 in conjunction with Sunshine Week, which takes place March 16-22, 2025. We’re on the hunt for the best logos and slogans that promote freedom of information—something creative that…

CHESTER COUNTY, Penn. – The growing use of chat apps like Google Chat by school districts across the U.S. is raising concerns about transparency and public access to government meetings and records.  First reported by the Delaware Valley Journal, concern is rapidly emerging in Pennsylvania as school districts, including the…

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the landmark 1974 amendments to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a landmark law that guarantees public access to federal government records.   To commemorate this milestone, the Center for Study of Responsive Law is hosting a special event on Dec. 19, 2024, at…