MnCOGI: Advocating for public access

MnCOGI is Minnesota's advocate for public access to government data, documents and meetings.

We believe that widespread access to government information is essential to a democratic society. Our all-volunteer team of experts helps Minnesotans understand and exercise that right. We help journalists, librarians, local government officials, small businesses and even individuals seeking information about what's happening in their community.

We work at the Minnesota Legislature, in the courts and to educate the public on a bipartisan basis. Our coalition includes news media representatives, attorneys, IT professionals, librarians and other people and organizations committed to government transparency. 

Just a few examples of our recent work: 
* MnCOGI helped the media coalition that led to worldwide livestreaming of the Derek Chauvin and Kim Potter trials in 2021 and 2022. Those televised trials of police officers persuaded the Minnesota Supreme Court to expand camera acces to criminal trials. (See AP story) 

* We sued the City of Minneapolis over its denial of public acess to police disciplinary files. We argued that the city's police department had been hiding discipline of serious misconduct from public view by calling it "coaching," which it claimed was not discipline. One internal letter even stated: "As discipline for this incident, you will receive coaching." This lawsuit is pending. See ACLU press release and Minnesota Star Tribune story.

* At the Minnesota Capitol, we protect the public's right to know under the Data Practices Act, working both to help pass needed new laws and to curb efforts that could impinge on existing public data access rights.

* MnCOGI worked on initiatives to improve Minnesota's Open Meeting Law (OML), and to stem problematic OML legislation.
* We recently held seminars on how to use the state's public records laws for Minnesota journalists and the staff of Minneapolis Documenters, and led a panel at the Midwest Journalism Conference.

* MnCOGI offers pro bono advice to journalists and citizens on the ins and outs of obtaining public information. Don Gemberling, one of the state's premier experts on the Data Practices Act, and other MnCOGI members frequently are quoted in news and opinion articles.

About the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information (MNCOGI)

MNCOGI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to the public’s right to know, the promotion of public access to government information and transparency of government operations. MNCOGI Board members are MaryJo Webster, chair; Don Gemberling, vice-chair; Mary Pattock, secretary; Matt Ehling, treasurer; Kristine Tietz; Hal Davis; Chris Weiland; Paul Bosman. For more information about MNCOGI, please visit our website at http://www.mncogi.org. 

Image of the Minnesota State Capitol is the work of Wikipedia user McGhiever.