State Controller: Sessions a chance to rebuild trust

A series of sessions dedicated to helping people understand their rights for access to public records and meetings is scheduled to begin Wednesday.

The initiative "Setting the Record Straight: What's public? What's not? What's open?" is presented by Idaho Citizens for Open Government.

"Sessions aim to equip citizens, members of the news media, public officials, and their staff with essential knowledge on accessing vital information," said a news release.

The sessions are scheduled at the Capitol's Lincoln Auditorium and will be live-streamed.

Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf said trust in government is at an all-time low. He hopes the sessions help people understand government and how they can keep tabs on it.

"We want great citizen engagement," he said.

Woolf said with so much information — a mix of fact and fiction — coming from so many sources, it’s important for the government to engage directly with people.

It will take time.

For instance, elected leaders at city, county and state levels are working on budgets, but some receive little or no input from citizens.

Woolf questioned whether that was due to trust or apathy.

He sees the sessions as a step toward “building a little bit of trust back.”

The sessions start 9 a.m. Wednesday. The first will be presented by Woolf, "How to access public data, meeting info online for free."

Sessions follow monthly.

Sept. 27: Campaign Finance & Lobbying: The rules and how to access data. Presenter: Phil McGrane, Idaho Secretary of State.

Oct. 27: Idaho Open Meeting Law; presenters: Brian Kane, former Chief Deputy Idaho Attorney General, and Betsy Russell, IDOG president.

Nov. 28: Idaho Public Records Act; presenters: Brian Kane, former Chief Deputy Idaho Attorney General, and Betsy Russell, IDOG president.

To register: openidaho.org or contact the Controller's Office at 208-334-3100, Option 0.

"By shedding light on the intricacies of public record access and meeting transparency, the initiative aims to create a well-informed citizenry that actively participates in democratic processes," the release said.