In a legal opinion over the state's Sunshine Act that has sparked some criticism, the City of Philadelphia Law Department has concluded that a quorum of City Council may meet with the mayor behind closed doors if city leaders don't establish policy or conduct debate that could lead to policy-making. Read More…

The owner of The Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News sued Mayor Nutter and City Council President Anna C. Verna yesterday, alleging that reporters were illegally barred from a meeting at which the mayor discussed proposed budget cuts with Council members. Read More…

Close to the heart of the democratic process is the role played by media. You can't have an informed citizenry without the free flow of information about government actions. But this media right to stand close by as policy is formulated and implemented is not absolute. Reporters can't sit next to government policymakers 24/7. Read More…

It's no secret that our economy is hurting and that the city needs to address a budget shortfall. So, recently [Philadelphia] Mayor Nutter and City Council met to discuss the budget - in secret. That private meeting was no isolated incident. This was the third time this year that the public has been barred from city budget briefings.
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Last week, the budget watchdog group Citizens for Responsible Budgeting submitted a letter that referenced an upcoming "non-public budget 'workshop'" that the Lower Merion Commissioners would be having on September 24. As a result of that letter, we received a number of legitimate questions regarding the purpose and propriety of such a closed door Board meeting, which we would like to address. Read More…