The State of Sunshine The State of Sunshine in North Carolinain North Carolina

A presentation for NC3C by theA presentation for NC3C by the

Sunshine CenterSunshine Center

Elon University administration, staff & faculty

Educational Arm of the North Carolina Open Government

Coalition

Elon PollElon Poll

Variety of political topicsVariety of political topics February 18-23, 2007February 18-23, 2007 Southern States: North Carolina, Southern States: North Carolina,

South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, VirginiaVirginia

Awareness of Open Government LawsAwareness of Open Government Laws

37% across Southeastern 37% across Southeastern StatesStates

26% in North Carolina26% in North CarolinaFourth among Southeastern Fourth among Southeastern

StatesStatesFlorida first with 55% Florida first with 55%

awarenessawareness

Importance of AccessImportance of Access92% in Southeastern States 92% in Southeastern States

describe as importantdescribe as important

91% importance in North 91% importance in North CarolinaCarolina

Influences Government Influences Government OperationsOperations

72% agree in Southeastern 72% agree in Southeastern StatesStates

70% agree in North Carolina70% agree in North Carolina

Open Meetings and RecordsOpen Meetings and Records…Keeps Government Honest…Keeps Government Honest

80% of Southeastern States 80% of Southeastern States agreeagree

77% of North Carolinians 77% of North Carolinians agreeagree

Democracy best…Democracy best…government operates openlygovernment operates openly

85% in Southeastern States 85% in Southeastern States agreeagree

89% in North Carolina agree89% in North Carolina agree

How interested in local and How interested in local and state government operations?state government operations?

44% in Southeastern States 44% in Southeastern States say “a lot of interest”say “a lot of interest”

37% of North Carolinians say 37% of North Carolinians say “a lot of interest”“a lot of interest”

Current Availability and Current Availability and Accessibility of Local and State Accessibility of Local and State

GovernmentGovernment ““Not at all accessible.” 7% of Not at all accessible.” 7% of

Southeastern States and 11% of Southeastern States and 11% of North CaroliniansNorth Carolinians

““Always accessible” just 15% of Always accessible” just 15% of Southeastern States and 13% of Southeastern States and 13% of North CaroliniansNorth Carolinians

Remaining said “somewhat Remaining said “somewhat accessible”accessible”

Issues Significantly Related to Issues Significantly Related to Awareness of Sunshine LawsAwareness of Sunshine Laws

Age (begins at 23, drops at 65)Age (begins at 23, drops at 65) Education (graduate degree)Education (graduate degree) Gender (males more aware)Gender (males more aware) Race (Whites more aware)Race (Whites more aware) Political Party (Registered Political Party (Registered

Independents most aware)Independents most aware) Income (<10K, >$200K)Income (<10K, >$200K)

CriteriaCriteria

Response TimeResponse Time Appeals ProcessAppeals Process Attorneys FeesAttorneys Fees SanctionsSanctions

Better Government Association Better Government Association and National Freedom of and National Freedom of

Information Coalition StudyInformation Coalition Study

North Carolina among 38 North Carolina among 38 states to receive a failing states to receive a failing gradegrade

Two Bs Two Bs (New Jersey & (New Jersey & Nebraska)Nebraska)

Six Cs Six Cs (Virginia, Arkansas)(Virginia, Arkansas) Four Ds Four Ds (Maryland)(Maryland)

BGA & NFOIC Study

Recent Developments inN.C. Open Records Law

From the GovernorFrom the Governor From the Attorney GeneralFrom the Attorney General From the CourtsFrom the Courts

The Sunshine Center is …The Sunshine Center is …Dr. Paul Parsons, Dean, Elon Dr. Paul Parsons, Dean, Elon

U. School of U. School of CommunicationsCommunications

Dr. Connie book, Associate Dr. Connie book, Associate Dean, Executive Director of Dean, Executive Director of the Sunshine Centerthe Sunshine Center

Pamela Baker, Pamela Baker, Administrative Administrative AssistantAssistant

Dr. Vic Costello, Associate Dr. Vic Costello, Associate Professor, Media Project Professor, Media Project CoordinatorCoordinator