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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
by Charles “Kip” Purcell Thirty-odd years ago, a champion of government transparency was lectured by a legislator who insisted that no one really cared what the government did behind closed doors, other than a special-interest group known as the press. The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government was founded in the wake of Read More …
Secretary Ryan Stewart suspends the entire Los Lunas school board due to credible evidencet hat certain members have persistently violated procurement and public access laws including IPRA and OMA. See the letter here.
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (NMFOG) has officially kicked off a fundraising campaign aimed at strengthening the 31-year-old organization’s efforts to increase the public’s right to know. NMFOG’s goal is to raise $300,000 in “seed” money, which will pay for a dedicated attorney for two years as well as establishing a reserve fund Read More …
DataFest:ArtQuest – an effort to combine the public’s art with the public’s right to know in a local Hackathon event spread over two weekends in June – is now accepting individual and team registrations. The event is free, but registration is required. A full schedule of events, as well as the registration form, is available Read More …
By Kent Walz Transparency issues often focus on elected bodies and whether they follow the law governing public meetings, or executive agencies and whether they comply with statutes like the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act. Important questions, to be sure. But a judicial system that is open and accessible to the public is Read More …
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (NMFOG) has filed an amicus brief (friend of court brief) urging the New Mexico Court of Appeals to reverse a lower court ruling protecting Santa Fe City police disciplinary records from release to the Santa Fe Reporter under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA). NMFOG was joined Read More …