August 20, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer
Right-to-Know Law Policy Update in Wake of Anonymous FOIA Buddy Record RequestsThe Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (OOR) released a memo confirming that FOIA Buddy is operated by people who have a stated goal of efficiently promoting government transparency and accountability in a cost-effective manner for all involved and that the OOR found no indication that FOIA Buddy is part of a phishing, scraping or scamming activity.
By Robert Max Junker and Anna R. Hosack
9 minute read
February 12, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer
When Standing Won't Stand—Pa. Supreme Court Rules That a Grant of Party Status by a Zoning Hearing Board Does Not Automatically Convey Appellate RightsLast spring, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court addressed the question of who is entitled to standing in matters before a municipal zoning hearing board, and more importantly, who has standing to file an appeal from a board decision.
By Michael T. Korns and Anna R. Hosack
7 minute read
January 09, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer
Public Advertising Cheat Sheet: A Local Government Guide to Mandatory Advertising and Posting RequirementsMunicipal enabling legislation, such as the Borough Code, First Class Township Code and Second Class Township Code, impose advertising and other requirements for the approval of ordinances, bidding processes, approval of budgets, and other matters.
By Stephen L. Korbel, Anna S. Jewart and Anna R. Hosack
8 minute read
October 12, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
A Municipality's Struggle to Remove Resident's Junk Vehicles: How to Avoid a Fight Over BlightProhibiting a use on paper is one thing, ensuring ordinance compliance is another. The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in Township of Cranberry v. Spencer, Nos. 568, 569, and 570-CD-2022 (Pa. Cmwlth. Aug. 30, 2023) (Spencer II) recently considered one municipality's decades long battle over operation of a junkyard in violation of its zoning ordinance.
By Blaine A. Lucas and Anna R. Hosack
8 minute read
June 15, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Understanding How Original Jurisdiction in ACRE Cases Impacts Your MunicipalityA recent opinion from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court shows the dangers of relying solely on the MPC procedural rules when other statutes are also potentially in play and highlights the importance of understanding when the normal day to day protocols of the MPC may be superseded by other laws.
By Michael T. Korns and Anna R. Hosack
8 minute read
April 20, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Questions Abound Following Right-to-Know Law Decision Involving Student RecordsHawkins has clear implications regarding the treatment of school surveillance videos under FERPA and the RTKL. However, Hawkins raises several questions, including whether a nonpublic record can "become" public through redaction, and therefore, be subject to disclosure under the RTKL.
By Casey Alan Coyle, Anna S. Jewart and Anna R. Hosack
9 minute read
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