IFOIC
Thin skin plagues some officials in Iowa
Randy Evans, executive directorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication. Around the time the famous movie “The Bridges of Madison County” premiered in 1995, author Robert James Waller was at a book-signing in West Des Moines. Between scribbling his signature for fans on copies of his novel,…
Read MoreSchool and state board blunder in major transparency case
Randy Evans, executive directorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication. These are challenging times for Iowa’s 327 public school districts. They are being watched closely by state officials and lawmakers, by parents and by others in the community. These eyes are looking for signs schools are treading…
Read MoreWise school leaders don’t keep public in the dark
Randy Evans, executive directorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication. These days, I stand in front of audiences and engage in what is politely called “public speaking” more often than even Mr. Gentry ever imagined when I showed up at his office door 55 years ago with…
Read MoreIf Grandma can Zoom, Gov’t should Zoom, too
Randy Evans, Iowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication. In my day job, I wear the hat of the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. This nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has been around for 40+ years. We advocate on behalf of the public and journalists…
Read MoreGovernor signs long-sought law on public record fees
Randy Evans, executive directorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Monday a bill that has been on the Iowa Newspaper Association’s “wish list” since 2018. SF 2322 makes important changes in Iowa’s public records law that relate to the fees state…
Read MoreHere’s another place we need more transparency
Randy Evans, executive directorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication. There has been a lot of talk lately about why Iowa’s K-12 school districts need to be more transparent, and more accessible and more accountable, to parents and the rest of the tax-paying people of Iowa.…
Read MoreSenate change won’t better inform Iowans
Randy Evans, executive directorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication. Typically, in the days leading up to the start of a new session of the Iowa Legislature, the attention is on lawmakers’ goals and priorities — and on the pledges they make to work together for…
Read MoreSchool officials haven’t learned important lesson
By Randy EvansExecutive DirectorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication. The past couple of years have been challenging for Iowa’s 327 public school districts. Parents have become very engaged with their schools — and enraged, too, at times. This has revolved around masks and vaccines, what…
Read MorePublic must be informed in doctor discipline
By Randy Evans, Executive DirectorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication. The Iowa Legislature’s “To Do” list should be a little longer after last week. And people need to contact their senators and representatives in the Legislature to make sure they understand their duty is to…
Read MoreGovernment losing sight of serving the public
Randy Evans, executive directorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication. Several times a week, someone reaches out to me because they had difficulty learning about a government meeting or ran into obstacles trying to get government records. These calls and emails to the Iowa Freedom of Information…
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