News
N.C. law doesn’t require schools run by for-profit firms to account for all taxpayer dollars
The Charlotte Observer has reported on the disparity in financial record disclosure between public schools and charter schools run by for-profit firms. The article explains that public school districts must account for every dollar they spend while charter schools operated…
Read MoreFBI shows Patrick Cannon investigation video to public class
The Charlotte Observer reports that FBI officials showed confidential surveillance videos from their investigation of former Mayor Patrick Cannon to a community workshop. The article says that during the FBI’s annual “citizens academy,” officials showed four pieces of undercover surveillance video to…
Read MoreCity of Wilson seeks to rewrite public records law
The Wilson Times has reported on a bill authored by Rep. Susan Martin, R-Wilson, that would exempt information related to alarm registrations from the state Public Records law. The legislation would apply only to the city of Wilson, but the effect could…
Read MoreNC GOP requests 14 years of records from Attorney General Roy Cooper
The News & Observer has reported on a series of public records request to Attorney General Roy Cooper’s office by the North Carolina Republican Party. The article quotes SMVT attorney Brandon J. Huffman on the public records law: While the GOP request…
Read MorePolice turn over video from officer shooting dog
Gaston Gazette has reported that one North Carolina police department decided to release police body camera video in the wake of the non-fatal shooting of a dog. The department cleared the officer involved of any wrongdoing and released the video to…
Read MoreBuncombe leaders agreed to land deal in private
The Citizen-Times has reported that Buncombe County commissioners agreed in private to buy a piece of property as part of a deal to attract a company to the County. According to the article, several of board members believe there should…
Read MoreCharlotte officials used personal email for public work
In the wake of the revelation that Hillary Clinton used her personal email address while Secretary of State, rather than a government address, the Charlotte Observer has reported on similar activity at the local level. The story includes several examples of…
Read MoreHow open are Asheville’s records?
The Citizen-Times has published a thorough article on the City of Asheville’s public records practices as part of its ongoing reporting on Sunshine Week. The article quotes SMVT partner and North Carolina Press Association counsel Amanda Martin several times: “Our democracy is…
Read MoreNew economic development group could keep more incentives records private
The News & Observer has reported on a new public-private partnership that will lead efforts to bring companies to North Carolina. The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina will operate within a framework outside of the normal public records law, despite being…
Read More