2009 Pledge

May 13, 2009

Dear Nevada legislator:

Across the nation, the issue of government transparency is uniting public leaders of all political persuasions. It inspired then-Sen. Barack Obama, a liberal Democrat, and Sen. Tom Coburn, a conservative Republican, to sponsor the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which requires full public disclosure by all entities or organizations that receive federal funds. Many state governments, too, have joined the cause and adopted transparency measures of their own.

That’s why I’m writing this letter on behalf of the Nevada Freedom of Information Coalition, a statewide group of organizations and individuals of all political persuasions who support open government. This government transparency initiative provides Nevada with an opportunity to not only unite Left and Right on an important issue, but to produce sound, responsible public policy at the same time. As a member of the Nevada Legislature, you are charged with the enormous responsibility of stewarding the public’s money. Fundamental to the concept of self-government is the right of the citizens to know how their tax dollars are being spent. We trust you share this belief.

To that end, we are asking you to sign the Nevada Legislators Government Transparency Pledge. Please sign the enclosed pledge and mail it to Nevada Freedom of Information Coalition, P.O. Box 270872, Las Vegas, NV 89127. You also may fax the pledge to 702-383-4676 or e-mail the pledge to pledge@nevadafoic.org. By doing so, you will be signaling the people of Nevada your commitment to open and accountable government in our state. We plan to make public the names of those legislators who sign the pledge, as well as those who do not.

For too long, the opaque nature of the Nevada Legislature has kept our citizens in the dark regarding public financing. The government transparency initiative provides an opportunity for change. We hope you will commit to this effort.

Sincerely,

Thomas Mitchell
President, Nevada Freedom of Information Coalition

NEVADA LEGISLATORS GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY PLEDGE

I, ________________________________ , pledge to the citizens of Nevada that I will support efforts to make Nevada’s state, county and local governments more open and transparent. Further, I pledge:

1) To support policies and laws that will give the people of Nevada the ability to be fully informed about government so they can make intelligent decisions.

2) To support legislation to strengthen the letter and spirit of Nevada’s open meeting and public records laws.

3) To support legislation to make information on all government expenditures, including contracts, available to Nevada’s citizens, including online.

4) To support efforts to make the results of votes of the Nevada Legislature, including all legislative committee votes, available to Nevada’s citizens online within 48 hours after those votes are taken.

5) To support efforts to have the text of any bill to be voted on by the Nevada Senate or the Nevada Assembly or by any legislative committee available online for public view, with the most recent amendments, at least 48 hours before the vote, whenever possible.

Signature: ______________________________________

Office: _________________________________________

Date: __________________

Sign and return to Nevada Freedom of Information Coalition, P.O. Box 270872, Las Vegas, NV 89127 / or fax to 702-383-4676 / or e-mail to pledge@nevadafoic.org.