Amye Bensenhaver: UK, admonished by Supreme Court, at center of another open records controversy
Nineteen months after the University of Kentucky was admonished by the state Supreme Court for its “wholly inadequate” denial of…
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Amye Bensenhaver: Kentucky Public Pension Authority ignores ‘culture of secrecy,’ public’s rights
It didn’t take long for the Kentucky Public Pension Authority to respond to the followup open records request and open…
Amye Bensenhaver: What’s so hard to understand about public’s right to know the public’s business?
Who can forget this September 2019 exchange between former Governor Matt Bevin and reporters concerning Bevin’s reluctance to permit public…
Secretive KY Public Pension Authority and the public’s right to see a $1.2m report paid for by public
By Amye Bensenhaver Kentucky Open Government Coalition A Franklin Circuit Court’s ruling in Glenn Cohen v Kentucky Public Pension Authority…
Amye Bensenhaver: A disconcerting look at open government on the 50th anniversary of Watergate
As the nation reflects on the fiftieth anniversary of Watergate, Kentuckians should pause to consider one of its least heralded…
Amye Bensenhaver: As AG, Cameron is danger to public’s right to know, would be worse as Governor
While there is no Kentucky Attorney General who is — or was — deserving of consistently high grades for dispassionately…
Amye Bensenhaver: Legislative session a draw, open meetings law setback, open records law unscathed
Let’s call 2022’s legislative session a wash for open government. The open meetings law suffered a setback, but the open…
Amye Bensenhaver: The public is also at fault for allowing our lawmakers to evade accountability
Compounding the problems veteran political writer Al Cross identifies in his recent column in The NKyTribune — aptly titled, “Kentucky…
Amye Bensenhaver: Expecting disaster, House greets public with unwelcome news — rules limiting debate
What to expect when you are expecting disaster? The House majority greeted Kentuckians with unwelcomed news even before the 2022…
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…
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…
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: Kentucky Open Government Coalition offers a brief look at the 2020 top ten stories
As a particularly painful year draws to a close, the Kentucky Open Government Coalition takes a look at the top…
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…
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…
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…