Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/first-amendment/)
A state bill AB 1479 – up for vote on Friday – would create a fine for agencies that grossly violate California’s Public Records Act. A recent successful Voice of OC lawsuit against the County of Orange, appealing denied public records about an evangelist handcuffed by a county supervisor while armed, is a prime test case for the fine.
County Counsel Leon Page is defending a ban on public commenters addressing supervisors by name, among other the ACLU claims is illegal. In response, ACLU officials say county supervisors will be set straight by the courts if they don’t change their policies.
In recent months, Orange County supervisors put tighter and tighter restrictions on speakers who try to address them at public board meetings. The ACLU’s letter is prompting county officials to consider possible policy changes.
While the citizens of Orange County were casting ballots on Election Day, the county’s elected Board of Supervisors voted to restrict how often and how long people can speak at public meetings.
Just like Hillary Clinton, Orange County Supervisors don’t want you to see their raw emails. Yet instead of private servers, they use their lawyers and your tax dollars to attack journalists and shield themselves from disclosure.
The Orange County Water District is using ratepayer funds to wage a court battle to keep future employees from paying fees to cover collective bargaining representation.
Voice of OC is filing suit against the County of Orange today to see the Op-ed County Supervisor Todd Spitzer doesn’t want you to read.
Saying he was offended by a commenter who referenced an off-color scene from one of the TV show’s episodes, Supervisor Andrew Do asked his colleagues to enact a policy to further restrict speakers.
Faced with criticism from residents, council members cut out “unduly repetitive” comments as an example of behavior that could get a public speaker kicked out of a meeting – and potentially charged criminally.
The ordinance, under consideration by Costa Mesa City Council, would ban “unduly repetitive” public comments. Councilwomen Wendy Leece and Sandy Genis call it an attempt to restrict Mayor Jim Righeimer’s critics.