California cities want transparency rules waived in pandemic

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Juliet Williams, Associated Press
Updated 12:05 am CDT, Wednesday, April 1, 2020


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Citing the unprecedented challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic, city officials across California are asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to suspend or delay numerous state laws, saying they can't comply with everything from environmental regulations to public records laws that give people a window into how the government is spending public money.

Noting that “city resources and personnel are stretched thin" responding to the pandemic, the executive director of the League of California Cities asked Newsom last week to “take immediate action to pause certain statutory requirements."

The league that represents nearly 500 cities is seeking to delay the state's constitutionally mandated California Public Records Act, which requires transparency in government decision-making and spending. The law requires public agencies to respond to requests for information within 10 days, though many routinely drag their feet with legally allowed extensions.

Spokeswoman Kayla Woods said the group is not seeking to suspend all public records requests, but wants “flexibility to cities if their ability to respond to certain PRA requests is limited due to decreased staffing or closure of city facilities." She said the delay would be limited to records requests “other than those created during, and relating to, the COVID-19 crisis."

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/medical/article/California-cities-want-transparency-rules-waived-15170563.php

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. The Alexandria, Virginia, Library board had an emergency meeting the other night.

It was held via WebEx or Skype, one of those things. They handed out the access number and passcode.

Companies have been holding virtual annual meetings for the last few years ago. I was surprised to see that Texas Instruments is holding a physical annual meeting in Texas. Why?

[The Magistrate]

2. Seems A Reasonable Request, Ma'am

[flibbitygiblets]

3. They should suspend things like vehicle registration, property taxes

People are hurting and the checks haven't come yet. Shouldn't have to decide between food/medicine and car registration with no money coming in.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. On A Lighter Note

One thing that Illinois suspended was the need to renew medical marijuana cards!
Since it's street legal right now, the card just preferential product selection & avoidance of pot sales tax.
Small thing, but it's something.

[AtheistCrusader]

5. That would be a huge boon. Just postpone 'due dates' on tabs and the like.

The only thing we really can't defer is auto insurance.

[NCjack]

7. Cancel the damn income tax Trump put on us to give filthy rich a tax cut. If he needs

some tax money coming in, he should take it from his rich buddies.

[KWR65]

6. A meduim sized california city near me laid off 100 workers. n/t

[DenverJared]

8. Maybe this is the time to put all public documents

on the cloud. No extra work will be required and the documents will be there for all to see without having to ask for them. Personal information like addresses and phone numbers can be redacted.

[AllaN01Bear]

9. no.