Open Government Archives

Opinion: A cautionary tale in AG Cameron’s disregard for open meetings law precedent

by Amye Bensenhaver
June 27, 2023

Open government advocate Amye Bensenshaver observes that a circuit court judge rejected Cameron's disregard for over four decades of case law and attorney general decisions.

Kentucky legislature excluded public from all but the most carefully orchestrated ‘debate’

by Amye Bensenhaver
April 5, 2023

The legacy of the 2023 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly can be summarized in a single word: disenfranchisement, writes Amye Bensenhaver, retired Kentucky assistant attorney general and co-director of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.

Paducah TV station sues MSU for records on interference with reporting by WKMS

by The Rural Blog
March 7, 2023

A Paducah TV station is suing Murray State University for records "related to the university's attempts to interfere with reporting by WKMS."

Sunshine Week success hinges on public pressure for access to gov’t records and meetings

by Amye Bensenhaver
March 15, 2022

As we celebrate Sunshine Week, the Kentucky Open Government Coalition has a reminder.

Constance Alexander: 3 little words are crushing America’s news literacy

by Constance Alexander
January 30, 2022

Research shows that around seven-in-ten Americans use social media to connect with one another, engage with news content, share information and entertain themselves.

Ky. lawmakers revive bill to shield records about public officers

by Ryland Barton
January 18, 2022

First Amendment advocates point out that such information is already blocked by privacy laws — and the new legislation could create a chilling effect for those making and responding to open records requests because of the penalties.

AG Cameron greenlights transparency loophole

by Amye Bensenhaver
July 21, 2021

In a three-page open records decision issued Monday, Cameron allowed the Department of Fish and Wildlife to withhold records showing discussions of public business by public officials and employees on their privately owned devices.

Beshear vetoes bill limiting open records about police, judges

by Ryland Barton
April 9, 2021

The governor said the public officers named in the bill deserve protection, but that a different measure passed by the legislature this year already does that — Senate Bill 267, the anti-doxxing bill he signed into law Thursday.

Kentucky House advances bill banning out-of-state records requests

by Ryland Barton
February 26, 2021

The state House of Representatives passed a bill Friday that would bar people and entities outside the commonwealth from making open records requests for Kentucky records.

Opinion: General Assembly is rushing to dismantle Kentucky Open Records Law

by Amye Bensenhaver
February 26, 2021

A last-minute substitute to a bill "relating to financial institutions" contains major changes that diminish the public's right to know under the Kentucky Open Records Law. It's already passed in the House of Representatives.

Marshall County officials demonstrate how not to respond to records requests during coronavirus crisis

by Amye Bensenhaver
April 6, 2020

WKMS’ request identified a handful of specific officials whose emails it sought, a narrow time frame for the search and an even narrower search topic.

Rep. Chris Harris will be missed in legislature as a champion of open records

by Amye Bensenhaver
January 2, 2020

Harris was on the front lines of the battle to expose Utility Management Group, a publicly funded “private entity,” to the light of public scrutiny.