California has several "sunshine" laws that require government meetings be open, documents be available for viewing and agendas be public. All very well, until state and local agencies and elected officials spot a loophole or a new, urgent need for secrecy.
One example: A Times analysis published in 2002 revealed a pattern of secrecy at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, finding that it conducted more than 90% of its official business during the previous year without any public comment. Throughout the state, citizen groups and reporters often face costly fights for access to the deliberations of a water board or local government.
