Legislators Thursday approved a Senate bill intended to improve the state medical examiner's office but that also would restrict public access to autopsy reports because of last-minute language added by Rep. Randy Terrill, reported The Oklahoman this morning.
For details and a link to the story: http://foioklahoma.blogspot.com/2010/05/terrill-sneaks-in-dangerous-and-wrong.html
In response (by Mark Thomas): I read the bill several times. The language has been out there for quite a while. I think Terrill is correct; it only says the ME doesn't have to release partial or incomplete details of an autopsy - even to DA's or Law Enforcement! The language simply looked like statutory construction language and not any attempt to close anything.
The bill also has language that the ME's office will always be independent from any other state agency (not under control of law enforcement) and that they can contract with third party vendors "except OSBI" without the express consent of the legislature.
The ME's office needed a total makeover and this bill was an honest attempt to do that, in my opinion.
Mark Thomas
Executive Vice President
Oklahoma Press Association
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
My former college cries FERPA
Yes, I have a semester under my belt at this very college.
(From FOI Oklahoma -- Thought this would be of interest given our universities' broad reliance on FERPA for denying records.)
WYOMING--A Wyoming judge ruled Tuesday to dissolve a temporary restraining order against the Wyoming Tribune Eagle and the Cheyenne Herald that prevented the newspapers from publishing a leaked report concerning the president at Laramie County Community College.
(From FOI Oklahoma -- Thought this would be of interest given our universities' broad reliance on FERPA for denying records.)
WYOMING--A Wyoming judge ruled Tuesday to dissolve a temporary restraining order against the Wyoming Tribune Eagle and the Cheyenne Herald that prevented the newspapers from publishing a leaked report concerning the president at Laramie County Community College.
A new way to get Grant County news
Grant County is working on a new and better way for citizens to get Grant County news! For now, the county will utilize the District 2 Web site to release news stories regarding commission meetings, projects, staff, etc. However, in the near future, the county will have its own Web site to publicize county business.
Much more to come. This is just the beginning of what could be a great asset to Grant County folks! I'm excited to be part of these exciting new changes!
Please check out the District 2 Web site to get just a taste (a very, very small taste) of what the future will look like: http://www.grantdistrict2.com/index.htm
Much more to come. This is just the beginning of what could be a great asset to Grant County folks! I'm excited to be part of these exciting new changes!
Please check out the District 2 Web site to get just a taste (a very, very small taste) of what the future will look like: http://www.grantdistrict2.com/index.htm
A good woman to have on our side
(The following is Helen Barrett's e-mail exchange with Rep. Randy Terrill over the DOB issue. Helen is a news editor/reporter for the Alva Review-Courier and a member of the FOI Oklahoma Inc. board of directors.)
Helen caught a little flak from OPA Executive Vice President Mark Thomas for sending the e-mail, but someone needed to say something. If we know these legislators on a personal level, it is our responsibility to call on each of them as real people would - not give them a candy-coated plea that gets lost in the shuffle.
Helen caught a little flak from OPA Executive Vice President Mark Thomas for sending the e-mail, but someone needed to say something. If we know these legislators on a personal level, it is our responsibility to call on each of them as real people would - not give them a candy-coated plea that gets lost in the shuffle.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Spending records will go online
In the final votes required for both bills, state senators unanimously agreed Tuesday to put online the details of state spending and tax credits while House members approved posting school spending on the Internet.
For details: http://foioklahoma.blogspot.com/2010/05/legislators-approve-government.html
For details: http://foioklahoma.blogspot.com/2010/05/legislators-approve-government.html
A moving 'memorial day'
Received this e-mail from Jennifer Gilliland at OPA today about a story written by one of Oklahoma's finest professors, who not only has been my mentor but also my friend:
Dr. Terry Clark recently accompanied the Oklahoma Honor Flight when it took 99 World War II veterans to visit the WWII monument in Washington, DC.
Dr. Terry Clark recently accompanied the Oklahoma Honor Flight when it took 99 World War II veterans to visit the WWII monument in Washington, DC.
Terrill determined to prevent public access
Rep. Randy Terrill on Tuesday added language preventing public access to government workers' birth dates and employee identification numbers to the conference committee version of the Omnibus Corrections bill.
For details: http://foioklahoma.blogspot.com/2010/05/rep-randy-terrill-tries-again-to-stop.html
For details: http://foioklahoma.blogspot.com/2010/05/rep-randy-terrill-tries-again-to-stop.html
Thursday, May 20, 2010
DOB bill as persistent as Phoenix
It looks like the effort to make public employee DOBs confidential has been resurrected, this time as part of the DPS dash cam bill, HB 3382.
Tulsa World story:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspxsubjectid=12&articleid=20100520_16_A11_OKLAHO230732
DataWatch blog http://bit.ly/biiEZS
Tulsa World story:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspxsubjectid=12&articleid=20100520_16_A11_OKLAHO230732
DataWatch blog http://bit.ly/biiEZS
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