[Lwvcnmtopics] LWVCNM - Monthly Meeting Thursday March 13th At Noon - Is Our Democracy Seeing Less (or More) Sunshine? - Speaker Amanda Lavin, J.D.

[LWV CentralNewMexico]

 Dear LWVCNM Members,

Please join us either in person or on Zoom for our February Monthly Educational
meeting. March is Sunshine Month where we shine some light on what is
happening. This month we focus on open government in New Mexico.

Thursday March 13th, at Noon

WHERE:     In person (members and guests only), Conference room, 6739 Academy
Rd. NE, ample parking available; Zoom (members and general   public)
TOPIC:       Is Our Democracy Seeing Less (or More) Sunshine?
SPEAKER: Amanda Lavin, J.D., Legal Director, New Mexico Foundation for Open
Government

At all levels, the League of Women Voters has for decades taken emphatic
stances on transparency. The LWVUS national public policy position on
*Citizen’s
Right to Know/Public Participation* states: *“Protect the citizen’s right
to know and facilitate informed understanding and public participation in
government decision-making.”*

LWVUS confirms its support for open government in its *Impact on Issues
2024-2026*:

*“The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that democratic
government depends upon informed and active participation at all levels of
government. The League further believes that governmental bodies must
protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed
actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible.”*

LWVNM has a comprehensive position on *Transparency in State and Local
Governments *that was adopted in 2011 after significant input from and
discussion among League members.


In 2002, Federal Court of Appeals Judge Damon J. Keith warned: “Democracies
die behind closed doors…. When government begins closing doors, it
selectively controls information rightfully belonging to the people.
Selective information is misinformation.”

To that end, our Sunshine Month speaker will provide us with information
about what has been happening in the open government world in New Mexico,
and how League members can help ensure that transparency exists throughout
our government.

Amanda Lavin is an attorney and legal director for the New Mexico
Foundation for Open Government (NMFOG). NMFOG is a non-profit, nonpartisan
organization committed to helping citizens, students, educators, public
officials, media and legal professionals understand, obtain and exercise
their right to know. In her role as legal director, Amanda advocates to
uphold New Mexico’s freedom of information laws and the First Amendment
through litigation, education, and outreach.

Ms. Lavin will discuss the work she has done as the New Mexico Foundation
for Open Government’s first legal director, including filing a lawsuit to
enforce the Inspection of Public Records Act against Bernalillo County,
advocacy at the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session, and advocating for
access to government records throughout the state.

Since joining NMFOG in January 2024, Amanda has helped New Mexicans
statewide understand their rights, and public entities understand their
obligations, under New Mexico’s primary transparency laws, the Inspection
of Public Records Act and the Open Meetings Act.  Prior to joining NMFOG,
Amanda worked at the Federal Public Defender’s Office and the New Mexico
Public Defender’s office, defending the rights of people accused of crimes.
She is a 2012 graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law and
has also worked in private practice.


Zoom Invitation

LWVCNM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Is Our Democracy Seeing Less (or More) Sunshine?
Time: Mar 13, 2025 12:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81642201462?pwd=2aHZirNEqpPPCCSCpyvafavGZAnbQz.1

Meeting ID: 816 4220 1462
Passcode: 933974
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Meeting ID: 816 4220 1462
Passcode: 933974

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/krnzxx1wZ


League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico
6739 Academy Rd. NE  Suite 124
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109-3352
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