Delaware Freedom of Information Act
.
"In the four decades since the Freedom of Information Act was passed . . . it has become one of our greatest democratic reforms, allowing citizens to hold the government accountable by scrutinizing public documents and records. It's our national sunshine law."
Corpus Christi Caller-Times Editorial
Sunshine Week News
Sunshine week - March 14 - 20, 2010 - led off with announcements over the air and on several blogs of DELCOG's March 17 meeting "The Annual Delaware Budget Bind" at the Kent County Levy Court Building in Dover (get full details on the Calendar of Events page).
Then there were articles in several newspapers about champions of Open Government.
Read J.L. Miller's article "Del. FOIA champions enjoy the 'sunshine'" in The News Journal, 3/15/2010.
Amendment to Delaware FOIA Signed into Law
Public Records, Meetings of General Assembly to be open
The sun shone brighter in Delaware on June 12, 2009, when Governor Jack Markell signed House Bill 1 into law. HB1 called for amending the Delaware Freedom of Information Act to allow public access to meetings (except for caucuses) and records of the Delaware General Assembly. The bill was passed by the House (20 - 0 / 1 absent) on March 19 and by the Senate (40 - 0 / 1 absent) on June 2. The exceptions that currently apply to public bodies and public records will apply to the meetings and records of the House and Senate.
Sponsored by Speaker of the House Robert Gilligan and by Senator Karen Peterson, HB1 was the last of several attempts to apply the Delaware FOIA to the state legislature. Senator Peterson, whose stated legislative priority has been to end closed-door meetings, sponsored similar bills in the last few years only to have them stopped in their tracks by repeated use of the "desk-drawer veto." When legislators and members of the public gathered in the Old Court House in New Castle on June 12 to witness the Governor sign the bill into law, Sen. Peterson received a standing ovation, and Rep. Gilligan stated that passage of the bill never would have been possible without her efforts.
Delaware Coalition for Open Government - DELCOG
Keeping government accessible . . . and accountable
The Delaware Coalition for Open Government, an affiliate of the National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC), is an alliance of journalists, lawyers, business owners, news organizations, elected officials, government employees, civic associations and individuals dedicated to the free flow of public information, which strengthens and energizes a democracy and keeps the process of government truthful and vigorous.
We believe that government of the people, by the people and for the people should be open TO the people.
The Delaware Coalition for Open Government
- works to promote and defend the people's right to know about the operation of our state and local governments in order to guarantee and uphold the honesty and vitality of those governments.
- seeks to inform and aid those experiencing difficulty gaining access to information from government entities and to meetings of public bodies.
- encourages stronger application and enforcement of Delaware's Freedom of Information Act in the General Assembly and in the courts.
In those instances when government actions restrict or deny access to information, those actions must serve a clear and convincing public purpose. And even in those cases, such actions should be the exception and must be limited.
