[WardFive] FW: Please Support Open Government in D.C.

December 17, 2012 Dear Friend of Open Government: The D.C. Open Government Coalition is concluding its best year yet in working to enhance the public's access to government information and ensuring transparency of the District of Columbia government.  From convening an Open Government Summit in the spring to filing our first lawsuit this fall, the Coalition has had a very productive year!  During 2012, the Coalition continued to influence D.C. open government policy and procedures through formal and informal participation in the legislative process.  Our Government Relations Committee worked to establishing the Open Government Office created in and broaden the Office's portfolio to include oversight and enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act as well as the Open Meetings Act.  We proposed amendments to open government legislation introduced by Councilmember Mary Cheh. Because we believe that transparency is a deterrent to corruption, we testified before the Council to urge the appointment of a director for the Open Government Office, now within the new Board of Ethics and Government Accountability. In late October, the Ethics Board began the search. The Legal and Enforcement Committee, co-chaired by James McLaughlin and Fritz Mulhauser, oversaw the preparation of the Coalition's first lawsuit in mid-October. The case, filed under the D.C. Freedom of Information Act against the Council of the District of Columbia, challenges the Council's assertion that it need not disclose emails in which Councilmembers conducted government business using personal email accounts -- a practice that, if permitted, would largely undermine FOIA.  The case is pending in D.C. Superior Court.  The Committee also initiated an ongoing audit of Open Meetings Act compliance by city agencies, an effort to improve the Superior Court's tracking of FOIA litigation, and other public-records projects.  With leadership from our Public Education and Outreach Committee, The coalition held its first Open Government Summit in March during Sunshine Week, a national initiative that fosters a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information.  D.C. Councilmember Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) and panelists from the government and the news media discussed the state of open government in the District, acknowledging a need for further improvement. The Summit was co-sponsored by the National Press Club and based on its success, the Coalition plans to make it an annual Sunshine Week event. As we approach the end of this successful year, we want to thank those who have contributed to our success and ask if you can help us once again.  The efforts detailed here take volunteer time and money. The D.C. Open Government Coalition charges no dues – we rely solely on the generosity of people like you.   Please go online at http://www.dcogc.org/node/397 and make a year-end donation to the DCOGC.  Please do it today. Thank you for your past and future support.  We have important work ahead of us to bring sunshine to the District of Columbia government! With best regards, Kathy Patterson President www.dcogc.org © 2009 - 2012, D.C. Open Government Coalition. All rights reserved.