Why Should Delaware Care? Under current Delaware law, only state lawmakers are allowed to have private communications without triggering public record requirements. However, a recent Wilmington proposal would extend the same privileges to Wilmington city council members. While supporters of the change say it would allow officials to deal with city issues more efficiently, some say it defeats the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act.
The Wilmington City Council is asking state lawmakers to allow them to bypass public records laws and hold certain meetings in private.
Late last week, the city council unanimously passed a resolution requesting that the Delaware General Assembly create an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act for meetings attended by council members of the same political party – referred to in the proposal as any “caucus of the City Council.”…