Brechner Freedom of Information Project
@BrechnerFOI
Followers
990
Following
2K
Media
481
Statuses
2K
The Brechner FOI Project's research and ideas provide the public with information needed for informed, participatory citizenship.
Gainesville, FL
Joined December 2017
🌞 Celebrate 20 years of National Sunshine Week at Sunshine Fest 2025 in D.C.! 🏛️ 📅 March 19-20, 2025 📍 Hosted by @BrechnerFOI & @NFOIC 🎟️ Registration opens Jan. 2025 | $50/$25 Learn more: https://t.co/d5SQybs1BH
#SunshineFest25 #NationalSunshineWeek #Brechner #UFCJC
0
3
3
Dig into the stories the government doesn’t always want you to see. Check out the FOIA Files, a free weekly newsletter by Jason Leopold of Bloomberg News, featuring deep dives from FOIA requests. Sign up here: 🔗 https://t.co/UfQQ9TVe4D
0
1
1
Nearly one-fifth of federal agencies now use AI to help locate public records, says a new report from the Office of Government Information Services. Read more here 👉 https://t.co/KNvdSFZzxv
0
0
0
The latest Brechner Freedom of Information Project study finds that public records requests are met with rudeness and costly fees from their local agencies, while federal requests face long delays and national security blocks. Read more here 👉 https://t.co/WJt9UM2q0F
0
0
0
📄 FOI revelation: Stronger state public record laws = greater corporate accountability to consumers but also increased exposure to competition. Check out the new study here: https://t.co/1AsDPm6b5c
0
1
0
Poynter launched a new Press Freedom Watch to track U.S. government threats to the press, including cases of “loss of access.” 🗞️ Check it out here: https://t.co/TCOOrZRTW8
0
0
0
☀️ Sunshine Fest 2026 is coming! Thanks to everyone who submitted ideas! 🙌 This year, we’re teaming up with our friends at @MuckRock 🤝 🗓 Registration drops in December! 🔓 Don’t miss their updated Data Liberation Project. 🎁 Check out their swag store for holiday gift ideas!
0
1
2
📰 New Brechner Report is out! 🚨 Topics: A fresh tracker highlights threats to secrecy; latest FOI lawsuits; legislation & access barriers across the U.S. 🕵️♂️📉 📬 Stay informed — read & subscribe here: 👉 https://t.co/xmq0VNBQkQ
0
0
0
🚨 New on the Brechner site: @mirandareporter talks about 'Backroom Deals in Our Backyards' and the ordinary citizens fighting secrecy in their own communities. 📄 Read: https://t.co/E3rfA57uEx
0
0
0
📬 The new Brechner Report is here. One story shows how 14 years of public records revealed Alaska crab politics where social needs often outweighed environmental concerns. https://t.co/QhIe05PicH
#FOI #PublicRecords #OpenGov #BrechnerReport
brechner.org
Read more
0
0
1
📂 The Jacksonville Housing Authority wants nearly $90K to fulfill a public records request tied to an investigation into delayed vendor payments. The request covers 49,000 invoices since Jan. 1. Read more: https://t.co/gvPL5mfdFe
#FOIA #PublicRecords #Transparency #Florida
actionnewsjax.com
The Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) is requesting nearly $90,000 to fulfill a public records request made by Action News Jax as part of an ongoing investigation into delayed payments to vendors.
0
0
0
FOI Tip: Ask for the native digital format. Request records in the format they were created in — like a spreadsheet or CSV. It’s cheaper and easier to work with. #FOIA #OpenData #PublicRecords #Transparency
0
0
0
Do vague “reasonable” copy fee laws let agencies overcharge? A new study says yes, and even stricter laws may not stop it. Some countries have banned copy fees entirely. Should the U.S. do the same? 📝 https://t.co/bLuD9vVYYY
#FOIA #OpenGovernment #Transparency #PublicRecords
brechner.org
A recent article in the Wyoming Law Review examines copy fee provisions in the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, Wyoming law, and Colorado law, concluding that vague laws allowing “reasonable” copy...
0
0
1
A Wisconsin appeals court ruled July 29 that public officials can’t hide their government-related text messages on private cell phones. Midwest Environmental Advocates had sued the state Natural Resource Board in 2021 when a board member refused to provide government-related
midwestadvocates.org
In a decision issued this week, an appellate court addressed two significant issues that will affect open government and the public records law moving forward: whether text messages on private cell...
0
0
1
Available for quotations at no charge—and worth every penny.🫤
FOI Tip: Find your quote machine When records get denied, call someone who can speak on it. Think press association director, FOI professor, or a transparency advocate. A strong quote adds power to your story 💬 #FOIA #PublicRecords #Transparency #JournalismTips
0
1
1
Available for quotations at no charge—and worth every penny.🫤
FOI Tip: Find your quote machine When records get denied, call someone who can speak on it. Think press association director, FOI professor, or a transparency advocate. A strong quote adds power to your story 💬 #FOIA #PublicRecords #Transparency #JournalismTips
0
1
3
🚨 Washington lawmakers are auto-deleting emails again. Under a new policy, emails not from a bill’s prime sponsor can be erased after 30 days, limiting the public's ability to track how laws are made. Via @seattletimes: https://t.co/FYEjAEZuQA
#FOIA #SunshineLaws
brechner.org
Washington state House lawmakers have reinstated a controversial email auto-deletion policy, allowing most legislative emails, including those about bills and communications with lobbyists, to be...
0
0
1
📞 A new FOI hotline just dropped in Indiana Call 260-ASK-ICOG for help with public records, open meetings, or figuring out what to do if your request gets denied. Free. Volunteer-run. Here to help. 🔗 https://t.co/7gvFo2MOYC
#FOIA #Transparency #PublicAccess #Indiana
indystar.com
The Indiana Coalition for Open Government started the hotline to help with questions about the Access to Public Records Act and the Open Door Law.
0
0
1
FOI Tip: Find your quote machine When records get denied, call someone who can speak on it. Think press association director, FOI professor, or a transparency advocate. A strong quote adds power to your story 💬 #FOIA #PublicRecords #Transparency #JournalismTips
0
0
1
📚 Study alert: Turns out even university officials are confused about FERPA 😬 Richard Rainsberger found states applying it all kinds of ways and some are keeping basic info secret that FERPA actually allows. 🔗 https://t.co/QRPy8ntfLc
#FERPA #FOIA #PublicRecords
brechner.org
A recent study reveals that confusion over the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) isn’t limited to students or parents. It extends to university officials themselves.
0
1
0
This week: Brechner hits the road 📍 Aug 6–10 🗂️ David Cuillier at AEJMC in SF leading FOI teaching panel 📄 Sydney Sims at NABJ in Cleveland talking records request strategy 📢 Follow us for resources and FOI news 🔗 https://t.co/lSvYDDLP4s
#FOIA #PublicRecords
0
1
2