A CHANGE IN PRIORITIES?
The Kentucky Attorney General recently unveiled a redesigned website. For users searching for open records and open meetings materials, there is a significant change.
https://ag.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
The Attorney General's website previously identified "Government Transparency" as one of the agency's "Priorities" on the homepage.
Users could directly access open records and open meetings decisions, and related materials, from the homepage.
This is no longer an option.
NAVIGATING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S NEW WEBSITE
"Government Transparency" remains a "Priority" under the drop down menu on the homepage, but the direct link from the homepage to the "Government Transparency" page has been removed and replaced with other office "Priorities."
Links to open records and open meetings decisions "by year" are currently inactive on the "Government Transparency" page, but a "Demo" function suggests future changes aimed at enhanced searchability.
The Attorney General's website has always been searchable, but the "Demo" function may permit a more refined search. It directs users to select "All Years," or a particular year, and enter a keyword.
We tried it and were unsuccessful using the search terms "quorum," "subjective," and "timely access," all words/phrases that commonly appear in open records and meetings decisions.
We tried the names of parties — "Trageser," "Transportation," "Chellgren" — and were successful. The "Demo" search currently appears to be tied to the names of parties only.
The "Demo" function also contains a chronological list of open records decisions dating back to 1993.
The most direct access to "live" links to open records and open meetings decisions from 1993 to the present — and related materials — is now through the "Resources" option of the drop down menu on the homepage.
"Open Records/ Open Meetings" is the third option under "Resources" — appearing below "Consumer Resources" and "Victims Resources."
Users can continue to access open records decisions and open meetings decisions by year and by name. Keyword searches are still possible using the search box in the upper right corner of the page.
In other words, the functionality of the website remains the same, but "Government Transparency" is no longer a "Priority" appearing on the homepage. Direct access to open records and open meetings materials is no longer possible.
PAST CRITICISM FOR "BURYING" OPEN RECORDS AND OPEN MEETINGS
Past attorneys general were criticized for "burying" the open records and open meetings materials on the agency website, making it less user-friendly. Former Attorney General Andy Beshear responded to such criticisms by restoring the link to the homepage, where it has remained until now.
https://www.nkytribune.com/2016/09/john-nelson-sad-times-when-open-meet…
Until further notice, users can locate the open records and open meetings decisions, and related materials, through the drop down menu via Resources>Open Records/Open Meetings.
