September 10th, 2004 | by Derek Willis | published in Public Records
Mark Houser of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes about Allegheny County’s price of $15,000 for its property assessment database: “In 2001, when the new reassessments took effect, Allegheny County sold the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review a computerized copy of its real estate assessment records for $700. That allowed the Trib to judge how accurate the assessors were, by [...]
July 29th, 2004 | by Derek Willis | published in Public Records, State Data
Barbara Walsh of the Portland Press Herald investigated the state of criminal records in Maine, finding “a system that allows suspects of violent crimes to go before a judge without prosecutors or anyone else in the legal system knowing the offender’s complete criminal background in Maine. Because 90 percent of the state’s criminal records are [...]
July 28th, 2004 | by Derek Willis | published in Public Records
Steve Myers of the Mobile Register writes that “despite a series of requests over a period of months, the Mobile County Commission has refused to allow public inspection of the three commissioners’ appointment books, saying such access would hinder their work and discourage people from meeting with them.” The state’s governor, Bob Riley, provides similar [...]
July 22nd, 2004 | by Derek Willis | published in Public Records
The St. Petersburg Times asked the Veterans’ Administration for all documents relating to the computer system at Bay Pines VA Medical Center. Sure thing, the VA said, just give us $1.2 million. “It asked for the money up front in the form of a certified check or money order. In return, the VA said, it [...]
June 23rd, 2004 | by Derek Willis | published in DIY, Public Records
Daryl James of the East Valley Tribune requested salary information on the principals of 81 charter schools, but “about two-thirds either ignored the requests or declined to grant access.” Arizona state law defines charter schools as “public schools” and most receive state funding, but only 28 of the 81 schools provided the salary details requested. [...]