Richard Cordray (D)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray plans to participate in an online chat as a part of a national effort this week to highlight the importance of openness in government.
The online chat, which coincides with Sunshine Week, is being organized by the Lancaster (Ohio) Eagle-Gazette and the Newspaper Network of Central Ohio.
The Eagle-Gazette reported Tuesday that online chat participants can ask the attorney general questions about laws related to open government, including how to request public records and when public meetings may be restricted or closed.
"It's extremely critical citizens ensure there is governmental transparency in their communities, whether it's in an entity's daily operations, how tax dollars are used or how contracts are awarded," said Eagle-Gazette Managing Editor Antionette Taylor-Thomas.
Cordray, a Democrat, will take questions from noon to 1 p.m. at www.LancasterEagleGazette.com. Assistant Attorney General Lauren Lubow will be available for additional questions from 1 to 2 p.m.
"Today's online tools and the Internet mean we can put Ohio's open government resources directly into the hands of any citizen and increase the level of accountability through their vigilance," Cordray was quoted by the newspaper as saying.
From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.