Backroom Deals vs. Public Trust – Arkansas’ FOIA Fight
Arkansas 1st Reports
Mar 22, 2025
In this episode of Arkansas 1st Reviews, host Kandi Cox sits down with Joey McCutchen, a longtime attorney and advocate for government transparency, to discuss two major bills that could redefine Arkansas’ Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
The Good Bill – SB227
SB227 is a strong, well-crafted bill that protects and clarifies FOIA by:
✔ Clearly defining public meetings to prevent secret deliberations.
✔ Ensuring government decisions happen in public, not behind closed doors.
✔ Strengthening notice requirements so citizens are informed.
✔ Gaining support from transparency advocates, journalists, and local government organizations.
The Bad Bill – SB376
SB376 threatens FOIA protections by creating a loophole that allows:
❌ “Daisy-chain” meetings, where officials meet in small groups to avoid public scrutiny.
❌ Secret backroom deals that undermine transparency.
❌ Politicians to dodge accountability by sidestepping public meetings.
Why It Matters
If SB376 passes, it will gut FOIA protections and make it easier for government officials to operate in secret, without taxpayer oversight. Meanwhile, SB227 provides clear definitions and safeguards to protect the public’s right to know.
Kandi Cox advocates for life, faith, and family. Her podcast and articles tackle pro-life issues, and politics affecting families, offering hope and truth from a biblical perspective.
I went back and read both bills again. SB227 is definitely the best one. However, communication between two board members about the details of any issue is needed. But how do you prevent abuse? I have watched various local governments around the state practice secrete (non public) decision making for decades. I observed the results of a State Board cutting a secrete deal recently. It is against the law and should remain against the law to protect us from the honest board members.