Speaking to Students at Temple University

28 February 2020

Yesterday afternoon, I visited Temple University in Philadelphia to speak to Dr. Logan Molyneux’s journalism class about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law. It was a great discussion, and I appreciate the invitation very much. Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used: Temple University – Dr. Logan Molyneux – Feb. 27, 2020 (PPTX) Temple University – Dr. Logan Molyneux … Continue reading Speaking to Students at Temple University

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Speaking to Students at Upland Country Day School

28 February 2020

On Wednesday morning, I visited Upland Country Day School in Kennett Square to speak to two classes (9th grade and 7th grade) about the importance of government transparency and how Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law works. Teacher Judson Morris led the discussions, and I really appreciate the invitation to return to a school I graduated from in … Continue reading Speaking to Students at Upland Country Day School

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OOR Updates Standard RTKL Request Form

26 February 2020

The Office of Open Records has updated the Standard Right-to-Know Law Request Form. (Under Section 505 of the Right-to-Know Law, all Commonwealth and local agencies are required to accept the OOR’s Standard RTKL Request Form.) The new Standard RTKL Request Form includes a series of relatively minor changes, the most notable of which is that … Continue reading OOR Updates Standard RTKL Request Form

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Speaking to Students at Dickinson College

25 February 2020

Yesterday afternoon, I visited Dickinson College in Carlisle to speak to Prof. Amy Worden’s journalism class about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law. It was a great discussion, and I appreciate the invitation very much. Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used: Dickinson College – Prof. Amy Worden – Feb. 24, 2020 (PPTX) Dickinson College – Prof. Amy Worden … Continue reading Speaking to Students at Dickinson College

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March 20 in Pittsburgh: Sunshine Week Conference

24 February 2020

On Friday, March 20, I’ll be speaking about the Right-to-Know Law as part of the Access, Transparency and Your Right to Know daylong conference taking place at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Pittsburgh. My discussion (and there will be plenty of opportunity for Q&A) will take place during the luncheon, but the entire event kicks … Continue reading March 20 in Pittsburgh: Sunshine Week Conference

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OOR Webinar Schedule for Sunshine Week 2020

24 February 2020

Continuing a tradition that began last year, the Office of Open Records is once again planning a series of webinars for Sunshine Week 2020 with topics related to Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law and Sunshine Act. The OOR’s Sunshine Week 2020 webinar series currently looks like this: March 16 (Monday) RTKL Basics for Agency Open Records Officers … Continue reading OOR Webinar Schedule for Sunshine Week 2020

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Agencies Should Provide Evidence to the OOR

21 February 2020

The Commonwealth Court has consistently frowned on agencies trying to submit new evidence (i.e., evidence not provided to the Office of Open Records) during a Right-to-Know Law appeal. As a general rule, Courts of Common Pleas have been more accepting of that practice. However, Courts of Common Pleas are not required to accept such evidence. … Continue reading Agencies Should Provide Evidence to the OOR

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Speaking to the County Commissioners Association

26 November 2019

Yesterday in Hershey, I spoke to members of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania at their Newly Elected Officials Workshop & Fall Conference. Not surprisingly, I focused on Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law. More specifically, I encouraged counties (the same would apply to other agencies) to post their most commonly requested records online. For example: County Budgets … Continue reading Speaking to the County Commissioners Association

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Article for Pennsylvania County News

19 November 2019

The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania recently asked me to contribute an article to the Fall 2019 issue of Pennsylvania County News, which I was happy to do. Here’s the complete text of that article. *** Balancing the public’s right to know with confidentiality laws and privacy interests Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) presumes that all … Continue reading Article for Pennsylvania County News

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Speaking to Students at the University of Pittsburgh

23 October 2019

Late yesterday, I visited the University of Pittsburgh to speak to Prof. Doug Swanson’s journalism class about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law. It was a great discussion, and I appreciate the invitation very much. Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used: University of Pittsburgh – Prof. Doug Swanson – Oct. 22, 2019 (PPTX) University of Pittsburgh – Prof. … Continue reading Speaking to Students at the University of Pittsburgh

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