An editorial from the Boston Herald has called again for reforms to the state's public records laws.
Massachusetts, Hub of the Universe and incubator of all manner of promising new technologies has remained in the Dark Ages when it comes to its public records law — which should allow citizens and the media to know how public dollars are being spent and how officials conduct the public’s business. ...
Now nothing is ever over till it’s over in the state. There is always the possibility of mischief by amendment on the Senate floor. Then, of course, the all-important effort at reconciling this with the weaker House version. But there is enormous support for this bill certainly among media organizations, but also by groups like Common Cause and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Public officials worried about the eroding trust in government have nothing to fear — and everything to gain — by supporting a bill that will shine more light on the public sector.
Click here for the full editorial.
Show your support for public records reform by contacting your Senator:
TAKE ACTION!
Date
Wednesday, February 3, 2016 - 9:45pm
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Our executive director Carol Rose urged the state Senate to vote in favor of a public records reform bill in an op-ed carried by several Massachusetts papers:
"Believers in open and transparent government are counting on the state Senate to come through in the clutch. Next week, the Senate plans to vote on a just-released public records reform bill.
That vote will give Massachusetts a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix the law, and the time has come for a bold, heroic move. Our public records law hasn’t seen an update since 1973. It gets a failing “F” grade from good-government groups that compared us to other states. Our law is so weak that it needs a thorough overhaul."
You can read the full piece in the Fall River Herald News, Somerset Herald News, MetroWest Daily News, North Attleboro Free Press and Taunton Daily Gazette.
Date
Sunday, January 31, 2016 - 2:00pm
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WCVB anchor Karen Anderson reported on yesterday's vote by state legislators to put an end to the imprisonment of women who are civilly committed for alcohol and drug addiction. The ACLU of Massachusetts and law firm WilmerHale filed a federal class-action lawsuit challenging the law in 2014.
Jessie Rossman, ACLU of Massachusetts staff attorney, was featured in the report:
"After 25 years and a lawsuit we are glad to see they were able to come together and pass a bill to hopefully end this illegal practice," says Jessie Rossman. "No one should be sent to prison because they're suffering from the disease of addiction."
View the whole segment: Women civilly committed for addiction no longer will be sent to prison.
Date
Friday, January 22, 2016 - 10:15pm
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