SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — City Councilmember Marti Emerald says despite recent state budget cuts, our open meeting laws are not at risk, at least in the City of San Diego. Because of budget-tightening in Sacramento, the State suspended the requirement for local governments in California to comply with certain aspects of the Brown Act, which requires local governments to publicly notice meetings and disclose decisions made in closed sessions.
Councilmember Emerald says the City of San Diego and its associated committees, boards and commissions will fully comply with the law, even without reimbursement from the State to recover associated costs. The Councilmember intends to introduce an emergency resolution at the City Council next week to reaffirm the City’s commitment to maintain strict compliance with all aspects of the Brown Act.
“Our open meeting laws are vital to the public’s trust in government and access to government information,” says Councilmember Emerald. “This is a basic principle of our Democratic system and we will not waver, regardless of cost.”
Emerald has requested an emergency resolution be docketed at the City Council meeting of Tuesday, July 24. The Councilmember says she plans to include the Brown Act Compliance resolution in a new open-government Sunshine Ordinance, expected to come before the full City Council in the fall.
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Preceding provided by the office of Councilwoman Emerald, who is a former television investigative news reporter.