We started the First Amendment Foundation in 1983 to watch over a legislative program to review, and reenact if warranted, each of the hundreds of exemptions to the public records law. Our task quickly expanded to keeping public meetings open and then to helping write the guarantee of access to public records and government meetings that are now part of our state constitution. All the while, we worked with citizens and journalists across the state to help resolve the government sunshine issues they encountered. I suspect our task is never-ending, but we’ll hang in there. – Pete Weitzel, Director Emeritus
When you give to FAF, you can feel secure that your money is being used responsibly in support of an open government and, therefore, an informed citizenry. FAF is that powerful, transparency-focused voice that fights efforts to make government records and operations secret.” – Carol LoCicero, Board Member
“Today, more than ever, the actions — and inactions — of government can affect us enormously. Whether it be school safety, traffic control, or who gets to build what in your neighborhood, we rely on the government to do the right thing. And when they don’t, we have the right to call them on it. That means access to records, and the ability to stand up and speak at a public meeting. And if the government denies you those rights, there’s just one place to call: the First Amendment Foundation.” – Bob Shaw, Board Member