The Line: Transparency In Government

October 2, 2015 – Albuquerque television state KRQE settled a lawsuit this week against the city of Albuquerque. The city admitted in the settlement that officials did not follow requirements for releasing documents under the state Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA).

Journalists across the state are drawing attention to other violations of IPRA.  Laura Paskus writes in  the Santa Fe Reporter this week about another lawsuit and the challenges of enforcing IPRA:

“The law guarantees the public the right to see documents related to everything from health statistics and environmental studies to budgets, contracts and salaries. But in New Mexico, public agencies don’t always follow the rules.

One way agencies skirt compliance, for instance, is by stalling the release of documents for so long that they are no longer relevant to the requester. Absent some strongly worded letters or the threat of paltry fines—picked up by taxpayers, no less—there are no real consequences when an agency or official violates the laws.”

Full Story: Faux Transparency – Citizens are on their own when trying to pull back the curtain on the government’s public record

Host Gene Grant and this week’s Line opinion panelists share their thoughts on the importance of transparency in state and local government.

LINE PANELISTS:
Martha Burk, political psychologist and author
Viki Harrison, Common Cause New Mexico
Phil C. Marquez, Talk Radio, Inc.
Rob Nikolewski, Watchdog.org