Editorial Staff

New Pioneer Institute Hotline Allows Public to Report Violations of Open Meeting Law

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by Editorial Staff
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on
LinkedIn
+

Transparency guards against abuse as public meetings go virtual in response to pandemic

BOSTON – With most public meetings taking place remotely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pioneer Institute has unveiled an online hotline that allows members of the public to report potential violations of the Commonwealth’s and other states’ Open Meeting Law.

In March, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued an executive order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law.  The order allows municipal officials to participate in public meetings remotely and allows public bodies to post a recording and full transcript of meetings on the municipal website if the public body, for reasons of economic hardship and despite best efforts, is unable to provide public access via telephone, internet, video conferencing or other alternative means.  A number of states have made similar changes.

“We understand that we can’t allow the pandemic to halt the day-to-day functioning of government,” said Pioneer’s Director of Government Transparency Mary Z. Connaughton.  “But we also think it’s important to provide an outlet for people to log instances in which the spirit of the law may have been violated.”

People can access the hotline at https://pioneerinstitute.org/survey-open-meeting-laws/.  Complaints will be made public.

“Open Meeting Laws provide the public with access,” said Pioneer Executive Director Jim Stergios.  “The resulting accountability is a key tool for ensuring that governments act in the public interest.”

About Pioneer

Mission

Pioneer Institute develops and communicates dynamic ideas that advance prosperity and a vibrant civic life in Massachusetts and beyond.

Vision

Success for Pioneer is when the citizens of our state and nation prosper and our society thrives because we enjoy world-class options in education, healthcare, transportation and economic opportunity, and when our government is limited, accountable and transparent.

Values

Pioneer believes that America is at its best when our citizenry is well-educated, committed to liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise, and both willing and able to test their beliefs based on facts and the free exchange of ideas.

Get Our COVID-19 News, Tips & Resources!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Content

Boston Herald: State often keeps public in dark

0 Comments
/
Massachusetts performs dismally when it comes to government openness. Pending legislation filed by state Rep. Peter Kocot (D-Northampton) could begin to change that.

Watertown Police Department stubbornly refuses electronic public records requests

0 Comments
/
Despite repeated appeals to reason and official state guidance,…

An anniversary you may have missed

0 Comments
/
With the acrimonious standoff in Congress bringing about the…

Have the T’s Retirement Plans Gone Off the Rails?

Study Finds Financial Condition of MBTA Retirement Plan Deteriorated…

Lawrence’s Failed Public Pension System

0 Comments
/
by Guest Blogger Rohit Chaparala Pioneer’s newest transparency…

Boston Herald: Gov owes Obamacare diagnosi$

0 Comments
/
Op-Ed by Mary Connaughton & Josh Archambault Wednesday,…

When Is a Tax Not a Tax?

When is a tax not a tax? When no one pays it. That’s basically…

Basic information about IEP access lacking in Massachusetts public schools

1 Comment
/
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), geared at students whose…

New Report: Medical Device Tax Will Cost MA Employers $422 Million+ Per Year

New Report Estimates Medical Device Tax Will Cost Massachusetts…

‘Runaway’ costs on rail & T

0 Comments
/
http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/04/runaway_costs_on_rail_t http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/04/12/report-mbta-spending-out-of-control-on-employee-pay/ http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/21951093/2013/04/12/report-mbta-salaries-far-above-other-state-agencies The…

Open the Boston taxicab “market” to competition

1 Comment
/
The Boston Globe's Spotlight team has done a great job uncovering…

Boston Herald op-ed: Legislature must open up on spending

0 Comments
/
Legislature must open up on spending  Monday, April 1, 2013 By: Mary…

What would you do with a half-billion dollars?

0 Comments
/
The next time you’re watching those dollars ring up at the…

‘Calling out’ the Secretary of State

0 Comments
/
Secretary of State Bill Galvin didn’t waste time when…

Pioneer’s Transparency Update: “Sunshine Week” Edition

0 Comments
/
With all the scandals that plague the Massachusetts State House,…

MassDOT won’t say who’s getting a free ride

0 Comments
/
Our Commonwealth’s toll system doesn’t appear discriminating…

Revolving Door on Beacon Hill, Healthcare Edition

0 Comments
/
It often goes unreported, but Beacon Hill does have a wide revolving door…

Mary Z. Talks EBT Reform on Fox 25

0 Comments
/
Watch Pioneer's Administration and Finance Director, Mary Z. Connaughton, on Fox 25 with Maria Stephanos. "Expert Discusses Surprising New EBT Numbers."