THE IOWA SUPREME COURT SAYS AN OPEN RECORDS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE GOVERNOR CAN PROCEED.
THE IOWA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COUNCIL AND TWO OTHERS SUED AFTER OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE ABOUT THE COVID PANDEMIC WERE DELAYED FIVE TO 18 MONTHS.
THE IOWA SUPREME COURT RULED THE CASE CAN PROCEED BASED ON THE TIMELINESS OF WHEN THE RECORDS WERE PRODUCED.
F-O-I COUNCIL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RANDY EVANS, SAYS HE WAS GRATIFIED IT WAS A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
FOI1 OC……..SHOULD BE” :09
EVANS SAYS THERE WAS AN EXCELLENT DISCUSSION IN THE OPINION ABOUT THE NEED FOR A TIMELY RESPONSE, AND WHAT REALLY CONSTITUTES A DENIAL OF A REQUEST FOR A PUBLIC RECORD.
FOI2 OC……BE TURNED DOWN” :17
EVANS SAYS THEY WILL NOW GET A CHANCE TO ARGUE THE MERITS OF THE CASE AS IT GOES BACK TO THE DISTRICT COURT.
FOI3 OC……TIMELY MANNER” :17
GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS RELEASED A STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE RULING THAT SAID DURING THE INITIAL OUTBREAK OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HER OFFICE SHIFTED ITS ENTIRE FOCUS TO HELP IOWANS NAVIGATE THAT DIFFICULT PERIOD.
THE STATEMENT SAYS THERE WAS AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS AT THE TIME AND MANY OF THOSE WENT UNFULFILLED FOR A PERIOD.
