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We are the Sunshine Center of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition. If you are a records or meetings holder or someone seeking access to records or meetings, we hope this site will be a useful resource. Check out our educational resources about open government.
The North Carolina Open Government Coalition unites organizations interested in ensuring and enhancing the public's access to government activity, records and meetings. The nonpartisan coalition will educate people about their rights and support their efforts to gain access, and advocate the principles and benefits of open government. Education is critically important these days because, according to Elon Poll results, a majority of North Carolina residents are unaware of sunshine laws.
From the Charlotte Observer (5/23/13): The case between four former media members and the City of Charlotte, over negotiations between the city and the Carolina Panthers for stadium improvements, is expected to be heard by a judge Thursday afternoon.
From the Winston-Salem Journal (5/16/13):North Carolina’s Open Meetings Law appears to provide strong protection of the public’s right to see its government in action. In fact, however, the law has too many loopholes that allow secrecy.
From the Greenville Daily Reflector (5/12/13): The scope of North Carolina’s Open Meetings Law turns on the smallest of phrases. Broadly setting forth the principle that the people’s business should be conducted in public view, the law specifies those few instances that an elected body “may” hold a closed session. That puts in the hands of officials the option — though not the necessity — of holding discussion behind closed doors in certain circumstances.
From the Watauga Democrat (5/2/13): The Boone Town Council met in closed session for the fifth time Wednesday to discuss the county's threatened lawsuit, part of an ongoing saga that has raised concerns for many residents about the transparency and openness of local elected officials.
From NOLA.com (4/25/13): LSU must "immediately produce" the names of the people its board of supervisors considered for the university presidency, an East Baton Rouge Parish judge ruled Thursday. Judge Janice Clark issued the ruling less than three hours after the conclusion of oral arguments in the case, which was brought by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune and the Advocate against the university.
From the Burlington Times-News (4/22/13): In one of the more predictable spring events, the N.C. League of Municipalities has stated its opposition to a bill now in the N.C. Senate that would make it a misdemeanor for local governments to illegally withhold release of a public record upon request.
From the Raleigh News & Observer (4/8/13): It is time to open up North Carolina’s government operations to the public view. The North Carolina legislature has a great opportunity this year to make state and local governments more ethical and efficient.
From the Raleigh News & Observer (4/5/13): The news conference laying out Gov. Pat McCrory's plan for Medicaid managed care took an unexpected turn when a reporter asked about transparency.
