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Mar 22 • 6 tweets • 3 min read
We believe that transparency is the first step to accountability.

So every week, we submit public records requests to local, state, and federal agencies.

Here’s a roundup of requests we’ve recently filed. #FOIA We believe that transparenc...
Records request to Missouri Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman seeking communications with anti-choice external entities and individuals.
americanoversight.org/document/recor… Records request to Missouri...
Records request to the Florida Governor’s Office for staff communications with transphobic groups.
americanoversight.org/document/recor… Records request to the Flor...
Records request to the Florida House of Representatives for the Speaker’s communications with transphobic pressure groups, like Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Research Council, and Family Research Council Action.
americanoversight.org/document/recor… Records Request to the Flor...
Records request to the Arizona Senate seeking records regarding changes to the legislature’s public records retention policy.
americanoversight.org/document/recor… Records request to the Ariz...
Records request to the Arizona House of Representatives seeking communications regarding changes to the legislature’s public records retention policy.
americanoversight.org/document/recor… Records request to the Ariz...

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More from @weareoversight

American Oversight Profile picture
Mar 17
This Sunshine Week, we’re highlighting serious threats to public accountability as well as major victories in government transparency.

Here are three major threats to transparency — and three big wins from the last year. #FoiaFriday
americanoversight.org/sunshine-week-…
1. State legislatures exempting themselves from open records laws.

A concerning pattern is emerging in state legislatures: Lawmakers are taking steps to exempt themselves from public records laws and shield themselves from public scrutiny.
In January, the Arizona Legislature implemented rule changes that call for the deletion of correspondence sent or received by lawmakers and staff after 90 days unless someone makes an active decision to retain a given email, letter, or text message.
americanoversight.org/american-overs…
Read 26 tweets
American Oversight Profile picture
Mar 17
We’re suing the Florida Department of Education for the release of public records related to Gov. DeSantis’ ongoing attacks on education, including documents that could shed light on the potential influence of outside groups and activists.
americanoversight.org/american-overs…
In the last year, DeSantis has spearheaded numerous attacks on public education, including placing harsh limits on classroom instruction of American history, including the country’s struggles with racial justice and civil rights issues.
In 2022, the governor signed the Stop WOKE Act, which used critical race theory as a guise to restrict classroom discussion of historical and systemic racism, and the “Don’t Say Gay” bill — to prohibit teaching young children about issues impacting the LGBTQ community.
Read 5 tweets
American Oversight Profile picture
Mar 15
It’s #SunshineWeek and the annual Foilies — which “name and shame” agencies and officials that have been obstacles to government transparency — are out! This year’s highlight two sets of records requests we made.
eff.org/deeplinks/2023…
The “Transparently Proud of Destroying Public Records Award” went to attorney Michael Gableman based on our lawsuit for records related to the Wisconsin Assembly’s partisan review of the 2020 election.
Despite initial claims that the inquiry was intended to bolster public confidence in elections, it rapidly became clear that Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and lead investigator Gableman’s review would be anything but transparent.
Read 8 tweets
American Oversight Profile picture
Mar 14
It’s #SunshineWeek, a week that celebrates & promotes access to information and open government nationwide.

Today, we’re highlighting the power of #FOIA with a thread about its past, present, and future.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed FOIA into law on July 4, 1966. Records show LBJ personally removed strong language supporting open government from the press statement. He only agreed to sign it after DOJ suggested he include a signing statement.
nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/…
In his signing statement, LBJ praised the importance of openness for democracy and said the legislation affirmed American principles. But he also wrote that he felt some documents shouldn’t be available to the public.
nsarchive2.gwu.edu//nsa/foia/FOIA…
Read 13 tweets
American Oversight Profile picture
Mar 14
This #SunshineWeek, American Oversight is celebrating our sixth anniversary of fighting to bring government records to light.

Here are six of our biggest wins for public accountability and transparency.
americanoversight.org/this-sunshine-…
1. Reaffirming proper records retainment practices to combat election denial in Arizona and Wisconsin.

Our public records litigation in Arizona and Wisconsin reaffirmed the importance of document preservation and public accountability.
americanoversight.org/american-overs…
Our investigation revealed that leaders of the Wisconsin Assembly’s election review failed to properly maintain documents.

Multiple court decisions affirmed the public’s right to those records and the importance of preservation.
apnews.com/article/2022-m…
Read 19 tweets
American Oversight Profile picture
Mar 13
Today is the first day of #SunshineWeek, a week that celebrates & promotes access to information and open government nationwide.

To kick things off, we’ll explain exactly what the Freedom of Information Act is and why it’s such a powerful tool.
The Freedom of Information Act was signed into law by President Johnson in 1966, giving anyone the right to request federal records from executive branch agencies.
Yes, anyone can file a FOIA request! Journalists, scholars, and watchdog organizations use FOIA requests to find out what goes on behind the scenes in government. You can request records like emails, text messages, paper documents, videos, and more. es, anyone can file a FOIA request! Journalists, scholars, a
Read 16 tweets

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