Journalist, writer, historian; peripatetic, skeptic; fisherman, amateur pomologist, admirer of wildflowers, mushrooms; worshiper of forests, swamps, deserts, and mountains.
Darwin BondGraham
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California lawmakers have advanced a dangerous bill that would significantly undermine the public's right to obtain government records.
AB 1821 would allow for fees, allow government bureaucrats to file lawsuits against people requesting records, and more.
oaklandside.org/2026/06/17/p...
California lawmakers have advanced a dangerous bill that would significantly undermine the public's right to obtain government records.
AB 1821 would allow for fees, allow government bureaucrats to file lawsuits against people requesting records, and more.
oaklandside.org/2026/06/17/p...
This terrible law that would undermine government transparency is back. It was recently amended in ways that would greatly undermine the public's right to know what state and local governments are up to.
bsky.app/profile/darw...
If you've every filed a California Public Records Act request to obtain information about what's going on in your city, county, or school district, you're going to want to learn about this bill that's pending in Sacramento.
It would make big changes to the law.
oaklandside.org/2026/06/17/p...
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced an influx of private money today to fund illegal dumping cleanup and enforcement efforts from the Crankstart foundation.
Residents at the presser were thrilled.
Oakland police Deputy Chief Tedesco's warning to illegal dumpers got the biggest cheer.
Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco's bill AB 1821 would allow government agencies to delay responding to certain requests and to charge at least $88 an hour to search for and review the records they deem are for “commercial use.”
calmatters.org/politics/202...
A 25 year old from Piedmont is behind a growing network of websites and social media attacking Oakland's leaders with AI fakery and exposé-styled dossiers accusing them of corruption.
The campaign is run by a federal super PAC that hasn't disclosed its funders.
oaklandside.org/2026/06/18/p...
AB 1821 is an attack on transparency. We urge California lawmakers to reject this bill and protect the Public Records Act. www.ocregister.com/2026/06/16/e...
Darwin BondGraham
Darwin BondGraham
Darwin BondGraham
California bill aimed at public records requests made with undefined “malicious intent” could be used to punish people who are in disfavor. @cnpa.bsky.social @facoalition.bsky.social @mercurynews.com @eastbaytimes.com www.mercurynews.com/2026/06/16/b...
Want government records? You might have to pay more, wait longer or even fight the court to obtain them under a proposed new measure.
Under AB 1821, getting public records would cost more and take even longer. Perhaps worst of all, it would allow government agencies to sue members of the public if the agency deems their request to be made with “malicious intent.”
firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/tr...
Darwin BondGraham
Darwin BondGraham
Dan Borenstein
First Amendment Coalition
First Amendment Coalition
Oakland City Council backed a draft of the bill that would give governments more time to respond to requests.
Under this bill, getting public records would be more costly and take longer. And it would allow government agencies to sue members of the public if the agency deems their request to be made with…
Something has been happening in Sacramento that threatens government transparency and accountability.
Lawmakers, led by Asm. Blanca Pacheco, keep trying to undermine the state Public Records Act.
Pacheco recently introduced a bill to allow cities to charge the public for records requests.
