Minnesota's open government laws tangled, complex, study says

By BOB VON STERNBERG, Star Tribune

Last update: March 18, 2009 - 11:24 AM

Featured comment

Open door policy in Minnesota....Your're joking, right?

The prime example of back room dealings and cloak and dagger politics are just an easterly drive from the capitol. Better known to some of … read more us as the Ivory towers, home of the MPCA and the DNR. The PCA is nothing more than a retched quagmire or red tape of which little is enforced and less is done. Prime example, a lead scientist 3 or 4 years ago had to sue the PCA for wrongful practices because the commissioner was a pawn to 3M and not a servant to public health or the well being of the environment. The DNR, oh where to start with these chuckle heads - I know, Conservation officer party/convention...enough said. MDOT bridges fall down pot holes eat smaller vehicles but know one ever knows anything. The crew that really is the arm of public safety and home land security allowing another part of the government to post on the internet, I'll say that again ON THE INTERNET, the entire high voltage electrical map for the state. Anyone, with any brains could send this state back to the 17th century for god knows how long. Department of Health and their beloved SOPs, harassing private industries that they themselves depend on because of a mis-filed piece of paperwork. These are just the ones that come to mind as as I type. The point being, try calling any of these agencies on any of this....the legislature don't REALLY want to hear it because the Agencies are their retirement fund in a few years. Ya see, legistlators who survive long enough often get "promoted" to commissioners unless they rock the boat for said agencies then they have to join the little people outside of government. The fact of the matter is, that Minnesota is one of the most repressive states there is for rooting out corruption, if you blow the whistle you better have constructed your own landing pad because this state NEVER forgives.

Close comment

6 comments | See all
Hide reader comments

Print this story

Follow local news on Twitter

More from Local + Metro

Minnesotans pride themselves on the openness and transparency of their government, but a new study concludes it ain't necessarily so.

The analysis by an open-government advocacy organization found that the state's public information laws are "tremendously complex in nature and virtually impossible for the average citizen to decipher."

In addition, Minnesota's data practices act is "extraordinarily complicated and inherently confusing," according to the Citizen Advocacy Center, a suburban Chicago-based a nonprofit organization of attorneys working to improve citizen participation in government.

The study -- which examined laws in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio -- generally found that open records and open meeting laws in all five states are enforced only sporadically.

It also concluded that none of the states have a government office specifically created to oversee and enforce open government laws. The study also found state employees are not adequately trained to carry out open government policies and may be unintentionally violating the law.

When it comes to public records in Minnesota, the study concluded that state law carefully balances protecting the privacy of someone requesting public records and the privacy of an individual who is the subject of a request.

But that balancing act, coupled with a multitude of regulations implementing the law, make the process confusing, the study said.

In addition, it concluded that public bodies in Minnesota are not required by law to provide public notice of meetings, agendas detailing what action public bodies will take at such meetings, or that any minutes beyond the recording of votes need to be taken.

While the state's expansive web of laws regulating open meetings and public records are comprehensive, they need to be simplified, according to the study.

Recent Local + Metro stories

Twins among team logos now adorning Victoria's Secret items - March 18, 2009

Twins among team logos now adorning Victoria's Secret items - The Minnesota Twins and 10 other major-league teams are being featured on Victoria's Secret tank tops, shorts and other clothing, but not on lingerie. More