Public Records

Judge Orders Release of DOGE Records Amidst Secrecy Concerns

A federal judge has ordered the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to release records to a nonprofit watchdog group, citing the agency’s “unusual secrecy” and “unprecedented” authority. Judge Christopher Cooper’s 37-page opinion mandates compliance with Freedom of Information Act requests detailing DOGE’s role in mass firings and federal program disruptions. The ruling, based partly on news reports and social media, addresses concerns about DOGE’s rapid, opaque actions affecting vast swaths of the federal government. While DOGE claims significant cost savings, the lack of transparency prompted the judge to order the immediate release of documents. The decision is appealable.

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Ohio Governor Signs Bill Charging Public for Police Videos

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed H.B. 315 into law, a bill allowing law enforcement agencies to charge up to $750 for processing video footage requests, raising concerns about public access to crucial information. While DeWine claims the fees are optional and intended to offset costs, critics argue this hinders transparency, particularly regarding police misconduct. The governor also vetoed provisions within the bill that would have loosened medical professional ethics standards and exempted some public officials from existing ethics requirements. Finally, other bills addressing consumer protection and establishing new commissions were signed into law.

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