Amye Bensenhaver: First ‘Giblet Awards’ go to attempts to keep public’s business from public eyes
In an unapologetic nod to Courier Journal columnist Joe Gerth, the Kentucky Open Government Coalition presents its first annual Giblet…
Amye Bensenhaver
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Amye Bensenhaver: What is open meetings lawsuit against Campbell board of education really about?
Attorney Chris Wiest has filed an open meetings lawsuit against the Campbell County Board of Education on behalf of Ken…
Analysis: Official’s messages on private devices about public business are public record
By Amye Bensenhaver Kentucky Open Government Coalition Last week Attorney General Daniel Cameron issued a third open records decision determining…
Commentary: Cameron’s decision regarding public officials’ private devices sets dangerous precedent
By Amye Bensenhaver and Scott Horn Special to NKyTribune Daniel Cameron has given the green light for public officials to…
Jim Waters: Protect journalists, activists from vindictive lawsuits; then there are also public records
It’s one thing for government agencies to deny open records requests from the press or public. It’s quite another for…
Amye Bensenhaver: In UK vs. Kernel, just ask: Whose privacy is being protected?
“Kentucky Kernel editor-in-chief and reporter William Wright appeals the University of Kentucky’s denial of his request ‘to obtain copies of…
Commentary: It’s Sunshine Week. Support public’s right to know; government is public’s business
By Amye Besenhaver and Jennifer Brown Kentucky Open Government Coalition March 15 through 21 has been designated Sunshine Week 2020….
Amye Bensenhaver: Plenty of reasons to care about Texas’ Enrique Iglesias public records case
In December 2015, Enrique Iglesias performed for one hour at a McAllen, Texas holiday event sponsored by the city. Who…
Amye Bensenhaver: Public agency compliance with open records law is step in right direction
Rep. Maria Sorolis, D-Louisville, filed HB 232 on January 9. The bill is aimed at promoting public agency compliance with…
Amye Bensenhaver: Here’s the brief version of the top ten open government stories of 2019
And now, the Reader’s Digest version of the top ten open government stories of 2019: 1. The release of the…
Amye Bensenhaver: Rep. Chris Harris will be missed in legislature as champion of open records
Personal tributes have been pouring in since Rep. Chris Harris, D-Forest Hills, announced on December 19 that he will not…
Amye Bensenhaver: KY Supreme Court strikes blow for open government; courts are arbiter of access
In what may be the single most important victory for open government in recent memory, the Kentucky Supreme Court issued…
Gov. Bevin releases log of official (not unofficial) trips on state-owned aircraft, to be posted on website
Staff report Gov. Matt Bevin released a log disclosing the purpose of his official trips using state-owned aircraft in light…
Amye Bensenhaver: KY citizens own the airplane, Governor, and have a right to know how you use it
“The information is out there. The people can see all of the flights that have been taken and can see…
Amye Bensenhaver: Resisting transparency at all costs — and that’s why open records laws exist
It is deeply disturbing that a public agency — whose compliance with state transparency laws is found by the Kentucky…
Amye Bensenhaver: ‘Sunshine is a disinfectant’ and the law; reporter Yetter tells stories of child deaths
In 2016, the Kentucky Court of Appeals issued a scathing opinion to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in…
Amye Bensenhaver: Recent Fayette Circuit Court decision another major victory for open records law
With very little fanfare, the open records law recently claimed another victory in the Fayette Circuit Court. On April 25,…
Amye Bensenhaver: Kentucky Medical Services Foundation dispute is another open records victory
With very little fanfare, the open records law recently claimed another victory in the Fayette Circuit Court. On April 25,…
Amye Bensenhaver: Legislative crisis averted; no (known) new exceptions to open records enacted
It was down to the wire, but Kentuckians narrowly escaped passage of several new exceptions aimed at reducing the rights…
Amye Bensenhaver: How to succeed in open records by refusing to take ‘no’ for an answer
Al Cross, director of the University of Kentucky’s Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, has succeeded where other open…
Amye Bensenhaver: A new exception to open records should always raise legislative red flags
Twice this week we were reminded of a common argument used by public agencies to avoid their statutory duties under…
Commentary: Advocates say Kentucky needs a citizen-based defense of sunshine laws
By Amye Bensenhaver and Jennifer P. Brown Sunshine Week is upon us and with it the inevitable meteorological metaphors for…