Presentation to State Association of Boroughs

11 June 2018

Earlier today, I took part in the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs’ annual conference in Hershey. It was a great discussion, and I very much appreciate the invitation. Here’s the presentation I used: Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs – June 11, 2018 – PDF Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs – June 11, 2018 – PPTX … Continue reading Presentation to State Association of Boroughs

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Federal Court Says Public Officials Can’t Block Twitter Users

23 May 2018

A federal court today ruled that President Donald J. Trump cannot block people from following his @realDonaldTrump account on Twitter. The impact of the ruling, however, is not limited to the president. Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York wrote, “This case requires us to consider … Continue reading Federal Court Says Public Officials Can’t Block Twitter Users

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Presentation to CCAP Solicitors’ Conference

4 May 2018

Earlier today, I took part in a discussion about the Right-to-Know Law at the 2018 CCAP Solicitors’ Conference in Harrisburg. Other participants included attorneys Craig J. Staudenmaier and J. Stephen Feinour from Nauman Smith. The panel was moderated by J. Chadwick Schnee, Berks County’s First Assistant Solicitor. It was a great discussion, and I very … Continue reading Presentation to CCAP Solicitors’ Conference

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54 Training Sessions in 2017

3 May 2018

More than 1,900 people attended official Office of Open Records training sessions in 2017. We traveled the state again, including visits to Charleroi, Doylestown, Grove City, Pittsburgh, Roaring Branch, and Summerdale. The OOR provides training on the Right-to-Know Law and the Sunshine Act. We’re back on the road in 2018 — and this year we’ll … Continue reading 54 Training Sessions in 2017

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110 Mediations in 2017

3 May 2018

The Office of Open Records conducted 110 Right-to-Know Law mediations in 2017. Our mediation program can be an effective way to resolve disputes between requesters and agencies. Many of our Appeals Officers are also trained mediators and can conduct mediations via telephone or in person. When a mediation is successful, the appeal is withdrawn — … Continue reading 110 Mediations in 2017

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Map: Appeals in 2017 by County

3 May 2018

More Right-to-Know Law appeals were filed involving local agencies in Allegheny County — including the county itself, school districts, authorities, municipalities, etc. — than in any other county in 2017. (Allegheny County is home to about 130 municipalities and about 40 school districts.) The top 10 counties by this measure were: Allegheny, 166 Philadelphia, 157 … Continue reading Map: Appeals in 2017 by County

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Issues Raised by Agencies During RTKL Appeals in 2017

3 May 2018

In 2017, for the first time ever, the Office of Open Records tracked the issues raised by agencies and addressed by the OOR’s Appeals Officers during Right-to-Know Law appeals. This data gives some insight into the reasons most commonly raised by agencies for denying access to records. Of the 30 exemptions specifically enumerated in Section … Continue reading Issues Raised by Agencies During RTKL Appeals in 2017

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532 Appeals Involving State Agencies in 2017

3 May 2018

In 2017, the Department of Corrections was involved in 23.3% of Right-to-Know Law appeals filed against state agencies. Here’s the complete list: Department of Corrections, 23.3% State Police, 13.7% Department of Environmental Protection, 8.3% Department of State, 7.0% Department of Transportation, 6.2% Department of Health, 5.5% Board of Probation and Parole, 5.1% Department of Human … Continue reading 532 Appeals Involving State Agencies in 2017

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1,782 Appeals Involving Local Agencies in 2017

3 May 2018

In 2017, municipal governments (cities, boroughs, and townships) were involved in 43.1% of Right-to-Know Law appeals filed against local agencies. Here’s the complete list: Local Education Agencies, 23.0% Townships, 20.7% Counties, 18.7% Cities, 11.3% Boroughs, 11.1% Police Departments, 6.2% Authorities, 5.1% Fire Departments, 0.8% Other, 3.0% This information is from the OOR’s 2017 Annual Report.

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2,434 Appeals Filed in 2017

3 May 2018

2017 was the third-busiest year ever for the Office of Open Records in terms of the number of Right-to-Know Law appeals filed. In addition, the appeals continued to grow in complexity, with more sophisticated arguments being made and more nuanced issues being presented in many cases. Nearly two-thirds (63.5%) of all appeals filed in 2017 … Continue reading 2,434 Appeals Filed in 2017

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