Sunshine Week 2019

Stories Made Possible by Public Records

Below are a few examples of Oregon news stories made possible by public records requests. Public records requests are an essential part of government accountability and meaningful democracy.

March 11, 2019 Press Release >

Aubrey Wieber, Salem Reporter:

Lawmakers come and go, but the lobby remains a powerful constant in Oregon

Les Zaitz, Malheur Enterprise:

Million-dollar errors dogging Malheur County's rail center project

Michael Tobin, Daily Emerald

UO faculty login credentials stolen in Iranian hacking campaign

Mold, maintenance requests common occurrences in university East Campus Housing

Nothing is Certain but Weed and (back) Taxes

Noele Crombie, Oregonian

Ghosts of Highway 20, Marlene

Detective ignored rape, abuse cases for years, documents show

Emily Green, Street Roots

CAGED: Inmates raise red flags about Oregon's solitary confinement

Timber’s fallen: Enforcement of forest labor laws spotty, lacks bite

Captive consumers: Corporations reap big profits on inmate finances, video visitations in Multnomah County

Lauren Dake, OPB

Oregon Sending Foster Children To Facilities Accused Of Abuse

Firefighting Foam Contaminated Northeast Portland Groundwater

Petroleum Terminal Expands To Allow More Oil Trains Into Portland

Mike Bivins, freelance reporter

Ride Hailing Uber Alles

Who Ya Gonna Call? Unhappy pot customers file complaints with state authorities and the Better Business Bureau

Brent Walth, Portland Tribune

DAs often stumble on records rule delays

Nick Budnick, Portland Tribune

Prosecutors reviewing Multnomah handling of abuse complaints

Audit sounds alarm at animal shelter

State police halt Oregon Humane Society investigations

State health costs soar, despite reforms' promise

Innovative health care reforms saved money? Maybe.

Shasta Kearns Moore, Portland Tribune

Costs pile up for school employees on paid leave

'Me Too' claims surface against ex-St. Mary's teacher

Schools struggle to release concussion records

Henry Houston, Eugene Weekly

Money Reigns Over Autzen Stadium in Body-Bag Games

Public Records Advocate’s Testimony on Public Records Bills

On March 13, 2019, the Advocate presented testimony in favor of two public records-related bills proposed by the Public Records Advisory Council.

Testimony on HB 2430

Testimony on HB 2431

Watch testimony at House Committee >

2019 Public Records Honorees

We partnered with Governor Kate Brown to honor Oregon government employees who went above and beyond to provide timely public records processing or to improve public records policies and processes within their organizations.

Announcement of 2019 Honorees

Letters to 2019 Honorees

Ginger McCall, Public Records Advocate, presents a letter of recognition for outstanding service on a public records matter from Governor Kate Brown to DHS employee Allyson Quiring.

Todd Albert, Deputy Public Records Advocate, presents a letter of recognition for outstanding service on a public records matter from Governor Kate Brown to Secretary of State employee Matt Brown.