Anti-FOIA Bills at Arkansas Capitol 3/6 – 3/7/2017
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is one of the greatest pieces of legislation that has ever been introduced to the public! Secure Arkansas is a BIG PROPONENT OF FREEDOM, and Freedom of Information is no exception. We use it ALL THE TIME!
FOIA is one of the most comprehensive and strongest open-records and open-meetings laws in Arkansas and the United States. We must keep it that way and oppose legislation being pushed forward that would limit or block it! So, what’s the deal? Well…
There are some ANTI-FOIA bills coming up Monday, March 6, 2017 at the Arkansas Capitol, and we need YOUR HELP contacting legislators and opposing this anti-freedom legislation TODAY — Sunday, March 5, 2017.
We can’t help but wonder: what are the legislators thinking? And from which bill mill did these pieces of legislation come?
We are addressing and OPPOSING THREE (3) ANTI-FOIA bills in this alert:
- SB 373
- SB 12
- SB 435
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The first bill we’re addressing in this alert is SB 373 by Senator Bart Hester (R, Cave Springs), 479-531-4176. [email protected]
Secure Arkansas opposes this bill.
Senator Bart Hester (R)
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Member
For an Act To Be Entitled
AN ACT TO EXEMPT ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION AND
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT FROM THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
ACT OF 1967; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
(We’ve written about this bill previously.)
Secure Arkansas’ comments: This bill appears to exempt attorney-client communication and work product severely obstructs transparency in government. There is no reason to change what has been the law for many years. Secure Arkansas tremendously opposes this bill.
Secure Arkansas also asked Arkansas attorney Joey McCutchen for a quote about SB 373, and he said:
“This is a bad bill for transparency. When government monies are being used to pay attorneys, the public is entitled to know what transpires whether the attorney is me or anybody else.”
He also says this: “…to cover with the veil of secrecy the common routine of business is an abomination in the eyes of every intelligent man, and every friend to this country.”
SB 373 is coming up in the FULL House on Monday, March 5, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.
Keep reading to see what you can do about these bills! The first two MUST be stopped in the House on Monday, March 6th!
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The next bill we’re addressing is SB 12 by Senator Gary Stubblefield (R, Branch) 479-635-4314. [email protected]
gov
Secure Arkansas opposes this bill, also.
Senator Gary Stubblefield (R)
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Member
For An Act To Be Entitled
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THAT EMERGENCY OR SECURITY RECORDS OR OTHER INFORMATION FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, PUBLIC SCHOOL, OR STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
(We’ve written on this one previously, also.)
SB 12 is coming up as: Motion to Amend in the House. The amended version is not posted on the website.
Secure Arkansas’ comments: Schools are secretive regarding information. These ANTI-FOIA bills will greatly obstruct transparency! Without the ability to have proper FOIA information, people will be left nearly defenseless and unable to get necessary evidence. There do not need to be ANY MORE exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act.
Government transparency is critical in order for citizens to hold their elected officials and bureaucrats accountable.
WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT THESE? Contact the members of the Arkansas House and tell them to VOTE NO on SB 373 and SB 12 because because they severely obstruct transparency in government!
You can email all 100 Representatives in ONE email and tell them to VOTE NO on SB 373 and SB 12. Be sure to call them as well!
*** BOTH OF THESE BILLS MUST BE STOPPED IN THE HOUSE Monday, March 6! ***
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|
Title |
Name |
Phone |
|
District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Representative |
Fred Allen |
30 |
||
|
Representative |
Eddie L. Armstrong |
37 |
||
|
Representative |
Bob Ballinger |
97 |
||
|
Representative |
Scott Baltz |
61 |
||
|
Representative |
Sonia Eubanks Barker |
7 |
||
|
Representative |
Rick Beck |
65 |
||
|
Representative |
Mary Bentley |
73 |
||
|
Representative |
Charles Blake |
36 |
||
|
Representative |
Justin Boyd |
77 |
||
|
Representative |
Ken Bragg |
15 |
||
|
Representative |
David L. Branscum |
83 |
||
|
Representative |
Karilyn Brown |
41 |
||
|
Representative |
LeAnne Burch |
9 |
||
|
Representative |
Sarah Capp |
82 |
||
|
Representative |
Frances Cavenaugh |
60 |
||
|
Representative |
Bruce Coleman |
81 |
||
|
Representative |
Charlie Collins |
84 |
||
|
Representative |
Bruce Cozart |
24 |
||
|
Representative |
Carol Dalby |
1 |
||
|
Representative |
Andy Davis |
31 |
||
|
Representative |
Gary Deffenbaugh |
79 |
||
|
Representative |
Jana Della Rosa |
90 |
||
|
Representative |
Jim Dotson |
93 |
||
|
Representative |
Charlotte V. Douglas |
75 |
||
|
Representative |
Dan M. Douglas |
91 |
||
|
Representative |
Trevor Drown |
68 |
||
|
Representative |
Les Eaves |
46 |
||
|
Representative |
Jon S. Eubanks |
74 |
||
|
Representative |
Joe Farrer |
44 |
||
|
Representative |
Deborah Ferguson |
51 |
||
|
Representative |
Kenneth B. Ferguson |
16 |
||
|
Representative |
David Fielding |
5 |
||
|
Representative |
Charlene Fite |
80 |
||
|
Representative |
Lanny Fite |
23 |
||
|
Representative |
Vivian Flowers |
17 |
||
|
Representative |
Jack Fortner |
99 |
||
|
Representative |
Mickey Gates |
22 |
||
|
Representative |
Jimmy Gazaway |
57 |
||
|
Representative |
Jeremy Gillam |
45 |
||
|
Representative |
Justin Gonzales |
19 |
||
|
Representative |
Michael John Gray |
47 |
||
|
Representative |
Michelle Gray |
62 |
||
|
Representative |
Kim Hammer |
28 |
||
|
Representative |
Ken Henderson |
71 |
||
|
Representative |
Kim Hendren |
92 |
||
|
Representative |
David Hillman |
13 |
||
|
Representative |
Monte Hodges |
55 |
||
|
Representative |
Grant Hodges |
96 |
||
|
Representative |
Mike Holcomb |
10 |
||
|
Representative |
Steve Hollowell |
49 |
||
|
Representative |
Douglas House |
40 |
||
|
Representative |
Lane Jean |
2 |
||
|
Representative |
Joe Jett |
56 |
||
|
Representative |
Bob Johnson |
42 |
||
|
Representative |
Jack Ladyman |
59 |
||
|
Representative |
Greg Leding |
86 |
||
|
Representative |
Tim Lemons |
43 |
||
|
Representative |
Fredrick J. Love |
29 |
||
|
Representative |
Mark Lowery |
39 |
||
|
Representative |
Robin Lundstrum |
87 |
||
|
Representative |
Roger D. Lynch |
14 |
||
|
Representative |
John Maddox |
20 |
||
|
Representative |
Stephen Magie |
72 |
||
|
Representative |
Andy Mayberry |
27 |
||
|
Representative |
Austin McCollum |
95 |
||
|
Representative |
Mark D. McElroy |
11 |
||
|
Representative |
George B. McGill |
78 |
||
|
Representative |
Ron McNair |
98 |
||
|
Representative |
David Meeks |
70 |
||
|
Representative |
Stephen Meeks |
67 |
||
|
Representative |
Josh Miller |
66 |
||
|
Representative |
Reginald Murdock |
48 |
||
|
Representative |
Milton Nicks, Jr. |
50 |
||
|
Representative |
John Payton |
64 |
||
|
Representative |
Clint Penzo |
88 |
||
|
Representative |
Rebecca Petty |
94 |
||
|
Representative |
Aaron Pilkington |
69 |
||
|
Representative |
Mathew W. Pitsch |
76 |
||
|
Representative |
Chris Richey |
12 |
||
|
Representative |
Marcus E. Richmond |
21 |
||
|
Representative |
Laurie Rushing |
26 |
||
|
Representative |
Johnny Rye |
54 |
||
|
Representative |
Warwick Sabin |
33 |
||
|
Representative |
Matthew J. Shepherd |
6 |
||
|
Representative |
Brandt Smith |
58 |
||
|
Representative |
James J. Sorvillo |
32 |
||
|
Representative |
Nelda Speaks |
100 |
||
|
Representative |
James Sturch |
63 |
||
|
Representative |
Dan Sullivan |
53 |
||
|
Representative |
Dwight Tosh |
52 |
||
|
Representative |
Clarke Tucker |
35 |
||
|
Representative |
DeAnn Vaught |
4 |
||
|
Representative |
John W. Walker |
34 |
||
|
Representative |
Jeff Wardlaw |
8 |
||
|
Representative |
Les Warren |
25 |
||
|
Representative |
Danny Watson |
3 |
||
|
Representative |
David Whitaker |
85 |
||
|
Representative |
Jeff Williams |
89 |
||
|
Representative |
Carlton Wing |
38 |
||
|
Representative |
Richard Womack |
18 |
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The third bill we’re addressing is SB 435 by Senator Will Bond (D, Little Rock) 501-396-5400, [email protected]
Secure Arkansas opposes this bill.
Senator Will Bond (D)
For An Act To Be Entitled
AN ACT TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967 CONCERNING WATER SYSTEMS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONSOLIDATED WATERWORKS SYSTEMS; CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS BY A CONSOLIDATED WATERWORKS SYSTEM; TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Amendment 1 for SB 435 is coming up in the Senate on Monday, March 6, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. to be adopted, and then it will be transfered back to the Senate City, County & Local Affairs committee to be heard on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 272 at the Arkansas Capitol.
Secure Arkansas’ comments: It’s a bad bill and is unnecessary legislation, and it covers things that are already subject to privacy and exempt from public knowledge.
**See Arkansas Freedom of Information Handbook 25-19-105 — “Examination and copying of public records” (page 7).
WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT: Contact the members of the Senate Committee on City, County, & Local Affairs, and tell them to please VOTE NO on SB 435 because it’s unnecessary and covers things that are already subject to privacy and exempt from public knowledge. It would be good to include the link to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Handbook 25-19-105 and, if you’re emailing them, tell them to see “Examination and copying of public records” on page 7.
Contact information for the Senate Committee on City, County & Local Affairs:
- Sen. Alan Clark, CHAIR (501) 262-3360, [email protected]
- Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, VICE CHAIR (479) 444-6752, [email protected]
- Sen. Will Bond, (501) 396-5400, [email protected]
- Sen. Scott Flippo, (870) 421-3420, [email protected]
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Sen. Linda Collins-Smith, (870) 378-1434, [email protected]
gov - Sen. Lance Eads, (479) 435-5139, [email protected]
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Sen. Stephanie Flowers, (870) 535-1032, [email protected]
gov - Sen. Jim Hendren, (479) 787-6222, [email protected]
In closing, there is an ongoing attempt through progressive legislation to limit freedom, to centralize power and control, and to make everything look the same throughout the country — and we need to do ALL WE CAN to fight it!
Stay tuned!
Be sure to share our alerts with your family and friends!
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