Sunlight is the best disinfectant
FOG statement on CYFD’s action to close special council meetings Sunlight is the best disinfectant – words from the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis that still ring true today – except it seems for a special council formed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to address the dysfunctional Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD). Read More …
Judge finds LCS in violation of IPRA
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) applauds the decision by New Mexico First Judicial Court Judge Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood ruling the New Mexico Legislative Council Service (LCS) violated the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) by failing to fulfill a request from Ethics Watch for public records regarding the 2021 Junior Appropriations Act. Read More …
2023 Sunshine Week Accountability is key to every operation
by Gregory Williams, FOG Board Member and Former President Public officials and employees love transparency in the abstract. In reality: not so much. Transparency in government is a crowd-pleasing election promise that gets set aside in practice. It happens in part because openness takes effort. It takes a daily commitment by public entities to provide Read More …
Eddy County Takes Step to Increase Transparency
The Eddy County Commission put into practice this week an important step to ensure transparency and the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) applauds the effort. “The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government supports Eddy County’s efforts to comply with the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) in announcing the allocation of Read More …
FOG to Bootcamp Training Program 1/31/2003
FOG has expanded its Bootcamp Training Program and our next free course is set for Tuesday, January 31, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. FOG offers a free course to provide guidance on compliance with the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) and the Open Meetings Act (OMA). These open government “Bootcamp” presentations reinforce the important Read More …
FOG receives $5,000 from SF Community Foundation
The Santa Fe Community Foundation has announced $445,000 in grants to 38 nonprofits in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, San Miguel and Mora counties as a part of its 2022 fall grants cycle, including the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government. “This year’s grantees have listened and responded to both ongoing and emerging community needs with Read More …
Release Of Rio Rancho Records – Unnecessary Legal Fight
The release of public records by the city of Rio Rancho Wednesday concerning the death of a two-year-old in December in Rio Rancho ended a legal fight “that didn’t need to happen,” said Kathi Bearden, president of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government. The Santa Fe New Mexican, NMFOG and other media outlets filed Read More …
Good Government Policy Officer
Do you know someone who is a good government leader? The Thornburg Foundation is seeking a Good Government Policy Officer to lead their efforts to support more transparent, responsive government in New Mexico and to join our team of professionals. They are seeking a dynamic, experienced leader to oversee a $1 million annual grant portfolio Read More …
Santa Fe Native Melissa Segura To Keynote Dixon Awards
Buy tickets here She’s a Santa Fe native and investigative reporter focusing on the intersections of race, class and justice. She’s covered Major League Baseball for Sports Illustrated and is a senior writer at BuzzFeed News. Now, Melissa Segura will be the keynote speaker for the 2022 William S. Dixon First Amendment Awards luncheon on Read More …
Six tapped for 2022 Dixon Award
Albuquerque, N.M. – The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) has chosen five New Mexicans as the recipients of its 2022 William S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Awards. The awards are annually presented to those New Mexicans who believe in government transparency at the state or local level – and who have made significant Read More …
Freedom of the Press — Key to Democracy
The mission of the New Mexico Foundation of Open Government (NMFOG) includes advocating, educating and litigating to help New Mexicans vindicate their rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution. Freedom of the press is one of the hallmarks of American democracy and enshrined as one of the five freedoms in the First Amendment – Read More …
POSTPONED: The FOG CLE will return late this fall
Unfortunately, we have postponed the planned Continuing Legal Education seminar that was to be held June 8 in Albuquerque. We will be back with an even more robust program and agenda this fall. Additionally, we plan to offer both an in-person and remote option for the training. Registrants will receive additional information via email and Read More …
FOG is now hiring a Legal Director!
FOG seeks a full-time legal director to fulfill FOG’s mission to educate, advocate and litigate to advance open government throughout the state of New Mexico.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop a strategy for selecting and pursuing lawsuits that will advance FOG’s mission, which includes enforcing and protecting the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), Open Meetings Act (OMA), and The First Amendment. Identify and litigate cases from initial filing through the appellate process, including amicus briefing, which further FOG’s law reform and enforcement.
Read More …
Searchlight New Mexico wins News Leaders Association First Amendment Award
FOG commends and congratulates Ed Williams of Searchlight New Mexico on this well-deserved recognition! FOG was involved last year in aiding Searchlight New Mexico’s investigation exposing the state’s Children’s Youth and Families Department’s use of Signal, a secure communication app, and has set chats to automatically delete. Once deleted, virtually no trace of a Signal Read More …
Rio Grande SUN sold; Paper a cornerstone of Northern New Mexico journalism
FOG was co-founded by Robert B. Trapp, Sr., owner and publisher of the Rio Grande SUN. The paper ‘s watchdog reporting has been crucial for holding accountable government to be open and responsive to the people of Northern New Mexico. Recently sold to new investors, the SUN was the subject of the documentary film, “The Read More …
Save the date for our Continuing Legal Education seminar June 8!
FOG is pleased to announce our 2022 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminar will be held Wednesday, June 8 from 8am-5pm at the Albuquerque Journal auditorium. After concerns over COVID led us to postpone this event, we are excited to once again welcome attorneys and interested members of the public to join us and our expert Read More …
FOG remembers longtime board member Pat Rogers
All of us at The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government are deeply saddened by the news that Albuquerque attorney Pat Rogers has passed away. Pat was a valued member of the FOG board of directors for many years. In the early 1990s, he played a key role in passing favorable amendments to the Inspection Read More …
Lawsuit filed against the city of Rio Rancho for records denials
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) and The Santa Fe New Mexican filed a complaint against the city of Rio Rancho Monday in the New Mexico Thirteenth Judicial District Court. The complaint filed to enforce the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) alleges that the city of Rio Rancho has wrongfully Read More …
Sunshine Week highlights government transparency and its role in upholding democracy
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) is marking Sunshine Week with reverence and appreciation for the essential role freedom of information and freedom of the press serve in guaranteeing our American democracy. Sunshine Week is a national initiative spearheaded by the News Leaders Association to educate the public about the importance of open Read More …
Three IPRA complaints resolved in favor of openness
In a victory for transparency, three New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) Determinations by the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office today concluded that the records in question were wrongly withheld and should be made public. In the first complaint, FOG alongside Searchlight NM contended that the Children, Youth and Families Department was obligated Read More …
Help FOG over the finish line as we seek to hire an attorney!
The bad news – FOG’s hotline is ringing off the hook with serious complaints of repeated public records violations. The good news – FOG has nearly reached our goal to raise $300,000 in “seed” money to bring on a staff attorney. As of today, in cash and pledges from our generous supporters, FOG has secured Read More …
FOG urges the public hear the PED “listening” tour
Public Education Secretary Kurt Steinhaus has embarked on a seven-stop “listening” tour in which he is meeting with school superintendents and charter leaders from around the state. Unfortunately, members of the news media and the public won’t have the opportunity to hear what Sec. Steinhaus and those key education leaders have to say because PED has decided Read More …
Albuquerque Public Schools settlement requires more staff, better training and keeping IPRA logs
Following APS once again wrongfully denying requests under the Inspection of Public Records Act, a settlement order has been issued, which required APS to pay $40,000 in damages, $14,000 in attorney’s fees, release the records in question within five days, and implement a series of new policies and procedures for handling requests. Under the settlement, Read More …
FOG urges Sen. Luján’s office release more information on the Senator’s health following stroke
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) joins U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján’s friends and constituents in wishing him a full recovery from his recent cerebellar stroke and subsequent surgery. And, of course, our thoughts and well wishes extend to his family. News of the stroke he suffered days ago shocked all of New Read More …
FOG insists that key legislative committee webcast its hearings
A powerful Senate committee charged with determining which bills are considered germane and will be heard in the 30-day session is not webcasting its hearings. FOG wrote to demand better transparency and public access to these proceedings. Read More …
FOG sends city of Rio Rancho letter seeking wrongfully denied records
We ask you to reconsider your denial of Ms. Traxler’s IPRA request and make those records available. Further I am making a mirror request on behalf of FOG for the same records pursuant to the Inspection of Public Records Act. Read More …
FOG sends legislative leadership transparency recommendations
Open Government (FOG) reminds you that Article IV, Section 12 of the New Mexico Constitution requires that all sessions of each house of the Legislature be open to the public. Whether proceedings are conducted via digital streaming, in-person or in a hybrid environment, FOG urges transparency remain at the forefront. Read More …
Tune in for the Quarterly FOG Board of Directors’ Meeting!
Did you know FOG Board meetings are always open to the public? We would love for you to listen in or join the conversation during the public comment period. Please email our Executive Director, Shannon Kunkel, at [email protected] if you would like the passcode to participate. We will also be recording the meeting and will Read More …
School board members should communicate with constituents and the media
Transparency in government extends beyond open meetings and records. It requires that public officials openly communicate with the public they serve. The policy within the Santa Fe Public School Board prohibiting rank-and-file members from making public statements, and instead relying on the school board president to be the sole spokesperson for the entire body, is fundamentally at odds with the principles of transparency and accountability. Read More …
Transparency at the heart of FOG work
This letter was sent to the leadership in the New Mexico Legislature on Dec. 15, 2021 December 15, 2021 Hon. Peter Wirth sent via email [email protected] Mexico LegislatureSanta Fe, NM Dear Senator Wirth, Transparency is at the heart of everything we do at the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG). The New Mexico’s Legislature Read More …
2021’s Covid Crisis May Have Boosted More Accessible Legislature
By Heather Ferguson, Executive Director, Common Cause New Mexico, NMFOG Board Member Ever since the 1970s, when Americans woke up to the dangers of government secrecy thanks to Watergate and Vietnam, the value of transparency in public policymaking has become more and more apparent. Bad things are more likely to happen in darkness, not Read More …
Watch the 2021 Dixon Awards here at noon Oct. 7
View this post to see the 2021 Dixon Awards beginning noon on Oct. 7. Read More …
Titan Of Journalism Martin Baron to Keynote Annual Dixon Awards
2021 William S. Dixon Awards Event October 7, 2021. Get your tickets here He’s been called a hero, a legendary journalist, and the ultimate old-school editor. When he retired this year from a 40-plus-year career, a billionaire, Hollywood moguls and news media elite attended his retirement sendoff. Now, retired Washington Post Editor Martin Baron will Read More …
We have the right to know
In the interesting and trying days that are upon us it seems that everyone has an opinion of our federal, state and even local governments and are more than willing to share that opinion. While these discussions make for exciting dinner conversation, it seems that citizens have forgotten we have a “right to know” what Read More …
Four To Receive 2021 William First Amendment Freedom Award
A reporter’s investigation that led to one senior state official’s departure and a whistleblower lawsuit, a citizen’s quest for records that forced the creation of a new youth grievance policy and actions by two New Mexico Legislators to open up state government will be recognized by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) as Read More …
On the record: Here’s how media keeps government honest
By Lucas Peerman, NMFOG Board Member The first sentence in New Mexico’s Inspection of Public Records Act Compliance Guide states, ”Access to public records is one of the fundamental rights afforded to people in a democracy.” Citizens can hold public institutions in the state to account through IPRA, and the Open Meetings Act. These acts Read More …
Nominations are now open for 2021 William S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Awards
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) is now accepting nominations for the 2021 William S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award – given to those who believe in government transparency at the state or local level – and who have made significant contributions to casting sunshine (transparency) on government operations in New Mexico. Award Read More …