Under the new law, as of July 1, public officials who violate the open meetings law could face penalties of $500 to $1,000. Previously, taxpayers bore the fines for public officials' infractions. The tougher measure, which received praise from the Mississippi Press Assn. and government-watchdog groups, was a response, in part, to critics who complained that a recent $100 fine assessed by the state Ethics Commission, which received a complaint from the Meridien Star newspaper, against Lauderdale County supervisors for improperly closing a meeting, was not enough of a deterrent.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Mississippi Burning Violators of Open Meeting Law
Under the new law, as of July 1, public officials who violate the open meetings law could face penalties of $500 to $1,000. Previously, taxpayers bore the fines for public officials' infractions. The tougher measure, which received praise from the Mississippi Press Assn. and government-watchdog groups, was a response, in part, to critics who complained that a recent $100 fine assessed by the state Ethics Commission, which received a complaint from the Meridien Star newspaper, against Lauderdale County supervisors for improperly closing a meeting, was not enough of a deterrent.
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