IDOG

A group of severely disabled Idahoans is suing the state after the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare cut their Medicaid benefits by as much as 40 percent, then refused to tell them why, saying its formula for the benefits is a “trade secret,” and therefore exempt from release under the Idaho Public Records Law, the AP reports; the secrecy makes it nearly impossible for the patients to appeal the decisions. Click below for a full report from AP reporter Rebecca Boone.

From the Associated Press

The Idaho Supreme Court, in a ruling filed Thursday, said financial documents related to John Bujak’s contract with the city of Nampa for prosecuting services were indeed public record.

From the Idaho Press-Tribune

A federal judge has refused to unseal a settlement agreement between an Idaho inmate and a private prison company involving allegations of rampant violence at a lockup near Boise known as “Gladiator School.”

From the Associated Press

If Bob Henry prevails on appeal in his public records lawsuit against Canyon County, the result could end up helping the county in a separate Bujak-related legal struggle.

From the Idaho Statesman

At the IDOG open government seminar in Lewiston on Thursday night, A.L. “Butch” Alford, owner of the Lewiston Tribune and a charter board member of IDOG, told a crowd of 50, “Our mission is to foster open government, supervised by an informed and engaged citizenry. We believe we all benefit when the public, the media and government officials are fully aware of the public’s rights to access government information and observe the conduct of the public’s business.” Added Alford, “Tonight’s mission is to enlighten the public, government officials from all levels, and the press.”

From Eye on Boise/Spokesman-Review

Despite stiff competition – a hard-fought UI basketball game against the Washington State Cougars and the downtown holiday lights parade – nearly 40 people turned out last night for IDOG’s open government seminar in the ornate, wood-paneled, hundred-year-old City Council chambers at Moscow City Hall. Those attending included the mayor, city and county attorneys, reporters and editors, academics and clerks, elected officials, interested citizens and agency staffers who deal with open records and meetings questions daily. The session was co-sponsored by the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

From Eye on Boise/Spokesman-Review

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden knows that citizen participation is an essential ingredient for democratic government.

That’s why he’s on the road educating Idaho city officials and residents alike about state law regarding the rules of open government and the specific cases where secrecy is permitted. Wasden, along with Idahoans for Openness in Government President Betsy Russell and Deputy Attorney General Brian Kane, visited Sandpoint Monday to kick off a week of seminars on the subject.

From the Bonner County Daily Bee

If they’re making a decision, make yourself at home.

If they’re holding deliberations, pull up a chair.

But if a government entity is discussing personnel issues, say, hiring an employee or disciplining an officer, the door will be shut to civilians.

From the Coeur d’Alene Press

A whopping 92 people attended the open government seminar in Coeur d’Alene last night, sponsored by IDOG, Idahoans for Openness in Government, and co-sponsored by the Spokesman-Review and the Coeur d’Alene Press. Press Managing Editor Mike Patrick told the crowd it was the first time he could remember the two competing newspapers co-sponsoring an event. Among those attending were numerous local government officials and staffers, reporters for a variety of news media, political activists, several former state legislators and lots of interested citizens.

From Eye on Boise/Spokesman-Review

It’s a balmy 28 degrees in Sandpoint this morning, where last night more than 50 people packed the public meeting room at the Sandpoint Library to learn about Idaho’s open meetings and public records laws. “Open meetings and public records are very important to us as a citizenry,” Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden told the group.

From Eye on Boise/Spokesman-Review