Open Meeting Laws

"If an informed citizenry is to meaningfully participate in government or at least understand why government acts affecting their daily lives are taken, the process of decision making as well as the end results must be conducted in full view of the governed." Oklahoma Ass'n of Municipal Attorneys v. State, 577 P.2d 1310, 1313-14 (Okla. 1978). Open Meeting Laws 3d is a national treatise covering all 50 states laws updated as of July 2011. It is the complete open meeting law reference. Open meeting laws typically apply to all elected officials and all public or governmental bodies, as well as particular types of private corporations. This edition greatly expands the analysis and the collected statutes, cases and other materials, from 720 pages to 1288 pages, especially expanding the materials on electronic communications and open meeting litigation. "If open meeting laws are effectively to do their intended work of fostering accountability and citizen participation in government, it is important that the legal community and kindred others have them available, together with cognate decisional law, in a single coherent compilation. In providing that resource, Ann Taylor Schwing has significantly elevated the democratic values of government openness, responsiveness and accountability over official neglect and venality and public apathy." Foreword by Robert K Puglia, Former Presiding Justice, California Court of Appeal, Third Judicial District (1974-1998).