A Madison resident, curious about how the city spends money and follows its own rules, has been using the state’s open records law to obtain government documents. The resident, who writes a blog about Madison city government, recently asked the Madison Police Department for emails regarding a plan to let the department accept training grants without Common Council approval.

Understanding the Open Records Law

The open records law in Wisconsin is designed to provide citizens with access to information about their government. The law states that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them. This means that anyone, not just credentialed journalists or licensed lawyers, can request and obtain government records.

In the case of the Madison resident, the police department initially redacted the work email addresses and work phone numbers of several government employees and a contractor doing business with the city. However, the resident pushed back, citing the open records law and explaining why the redactions were not justified. The city eventually agreed to provide the unredacted records.

A Success Story

The story highlights the importance of the open records law in holding government accountable and ensuring transparency. It also shows that citizens do not need to be lawyers or have special knowledge to exercise their right to know. By simply reading the law and asking for compliance, the Madison resident was able to obtain the information they sought.

Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.