“Law Enforcement Councils” exist in many states to coordinate police activities across a region. Nearby, we have the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) that includes police departments in 58 communities in Massachusetts. This article in the Bay State Examiner describes an ACLU lawsuit to obtain records of SWAT team activities, which NEMLEC refuses to supply.
Transparency
Senate Adopts New Rules, Reflecting Transparency and Openness, for 2015-16 Session
This is the earliest the rules have been adopted by the Senate since they moved to a two year session in 1995. The new rules reflect the priorities of openness and transparency for Senate business that Senate President Stanley Rosenberg (D-Amherst) promised in his inaugural Senate address on January 7th.
Pension Fund Transparency Update
Last week, the MBTA reached agreement with its largest union, Local 589, on a new collective bargaining agreement which includes commitments to increase transparency of the union’s pension fund. Concerns about the issue aren’t fully settled, but this is real progress and I commend the MBTA, the union’s leadership and the fund itself for these major steps towards transparency.
MBTA Pension Transparency: Update
I’ve had to change my approach to achieving transparency at the MBTA’s pension fund. It’s been a long struggle, but I think we now have an approach that is going to work.
Project in Sandwich
Paul Wilson asks about a $500,000 state budget item for athletic fields in Senate President Murray’s district that she sponsored after a failed Prop. 2 1/2 vote by local voters.
Is NEMLEC subject to public records law?
Robin Whitworth asks: What are your thoughts on NEMLEC’s contention they are not subject to MA open record laws?