FOIA Under Attack
California transparency laws are at risk of being kneecapped by a new bill
The Freedom of Information Act, a cornerstone of government transparency, is under attack from various fronts. In California, a bill is making its way through the state legislature that could significantly alter the California Public Records Act, a 58-year-old law that guarantees access to government documents and data. The proposed changes have sparked concern among transparency advocates, who argue that the bill could kneecap the state's transparency laws by introducing fees for public records. This move could potentially limit access to information for individuals and organizations that cannot afford to pay the fees.
Meanwhile, in Canada, Sarah Mills has noted that government and Crown transparency is shrinking. The release of Crown annual reports, which were once scheduled to promote accountability and scrutiny, is now being done in a single day, making it difficult for the public to scrutinize the reports. This lack of transparency is a concern for many, as it can lead to a lack of accountability and potentially hide wrongdoing. The move has been criticized by transparency advocates, who argue that it undermines the principles of open government.
In the United States, the federal government has been criticized for its lack of transparency in various areas. A recent contract worth millions of dollars was awarded to a company to deliver a single, government-wide system for agencies to manage their human resources capabilities. The 10-year contract is expected to cost taxpayers a significant amount of money, but details about the contract are scarce. The lack of transparency in government contracting is a concern for many, as it can lead to waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars.
Kash Patel, a former official in the Trump administration, has also been in the news recently for his comments on social media. His posts have taken some federal law enforcement officials by surprise, and have raised questions about the transparency of government operations. The incident highlights the need for greater transparency in government, particularly when it comes to law enforcement and national security matters. As of Thursday, June 18, 2026, the White House has not commented on the matter, but sources tell NBC News that authorities were still working to take suspects into custody when Patel made his comments.
The attacks on FOIA are not limited to these incidents. There are concerns that the federal government is becoming increasingly secretive, and that the public's right to know is being eroded. The introduction of fees for public records, the lack of transparency in government contracting, and the shrinking of government and Crown transparency are all concerns that need to be addressed. The public has a right to know what their government is doing, and it is the responsibility of the government to provide that information in a timely and transparent manner. With a price tag of millions of dollars for government contracts, and a 10-year commitment, the public deserves to know how their tax dollars are being spent.
As I reflect on the current state of the Freedom of Information Act, I firmly believe that FOIA is under attack. My thesis is that the erosion of FOIA will have severe consequences for government transparency and accountability. If nothing changes, the true winners will be government agencies and bureaucrats who wish to operate in secrecy, hiding their actions and decisions from the public eye. They will be able to conceal their mistakes, corruption, and abuses of power, leaving citizens in the dark and undermining the very foundations of our democracy. It's imperative that we take action to protect FOIA.
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