Public Records in the Real World

Simple everyday applications of public records.

Resource for Verifying California Professional Licenses

Before choosing a doctor, accountant, contractor, or other licensed professional, a good resource is the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ list of links for license verification.

Online Database of Active Workers’ Compensation Cases (California)

California’s Electronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS) public search tool provides access to a searchable database of active workers’ compensation cases filed with the Worker’s Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). The EAMS database includes active cases that are in dispute and filed as appeals with the WCAB.

Scandal Leads to Requirement for More Detailed City Level Salary Reporting Requirements (California)

In response to the recent salary scandal in Bell, California, Controller John Chiang issued an order last week requiring that all California cities and counties report taxpayer-funded salaries in more detail.

What You See In Public Records Databases Is Not Always All That You Can Get

A recent New York Times article discussed what local restaurant owners think are the shortcomings of the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s updated database of restaurant inspection scores. Amidst the back and forth between Department of Health and Mental Hygiene staff and the restaurant owners over what was being disclosed is a reminder to public records researchers to always get beyond the data that is presented for searching.

Court Records Often a Good Gateway to Otherwise Private Records

A contract dispute covered recently in The National Law Journal provides another example of how otherwise non-public records can back into the public space through court proceedings.

More on GPO-Transition to Digital Age

Interesting interview with David Walls, now of the GPO and formerly of Yale University, in today’s Washington Post.

GPO Access

GPO Access is an online collection of federal documents that is administered by the Government Printing Office and funded by the Federal Depository Library Program. The website publishes full-text documents that are produced by the executive, judicial and legislative branches of the federal government.

Financial Reform Bill Establishes New Government Agency with New Set of Public Records Related to Financial Institutions

After passing in the Senate yesterday, a new financial reform bill will soon be signed into law. It outlines various provisions designed to prevent another financial downturn in the United States, including the establishment of a new federal agency called the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

The Internet Archive

The Internet Archive is a non-profit organization working toward establishing permanent online access to digitized historical collections for future generations. It was founded in 1996 in San Francisco and collaborates with institutions such as the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian to build content. Many of the materials found on the Internet Archive were created online or intended for computer applications, making them difficult to come by in conventional libraries.

Illinois Comptroller’s Joint Database of State Contracts and Campaign Contributions

The Illinois Comptroller’s Open Book is a searchable database that returns side-by-side results for state contracts and campaign contributions. The data is drawn from public records that are available separately from the Comptroller’s office and the Illinois State Board of Elections, but Open Book makes it easier for researchers to search for potential conflicts of interest.