Amye Bensenhaver

Frankfort

Co-founder, Kentucky Open Government Coalition; former assistant attorney general; jack of no trade, master of one. Opinions here are my own.

Articles

Guest columnist: 'In open records, open meetings, more is more'

3 weeks ago | state-journal.com | Amye Bensenhaver

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Government working to be the least transparent possible

1 month ago | forwardky.com | Amye Bensenhaver

On May 22, members of the Jefferson County Public Schools’ Board of Education cast their final vote for a new superintendent. The selection process offered the board an opportunity to rebuild bridges between itself and the community through maximum transparency and inclusion — up to, including, and after the moment board members cast their votes. It was a missed opportunity.
More is more in open government disputes

1 month ago | share.google | Amye Bensenhaver

On May 22, members of the Jefferson County Public Schools’ Board of Education cast their final vote for a new superintendent. The selection process offered the board an opportunity to rebuild bridges between itself and the community through maximum transparency and inclusion — up to, including, and after the moment board members cast their votes. It was a missed opportunity. kAmq@2C5 >6>36CD 6?82865 :? 4@?5F4E D@ D64C6E:G6 E92E E96 r@FC:6C y@FC?2= AC@>AE=J 7:=65 2? @A6?
More is more in open government disputes

1 month ago | kyopengov.org | Amye Bensenhaver

On May 22, members of the Jefferson County Public Schools’ Board of Education cast their final vote for a new superintendent. The selection process offered the board an opportunity to rebuild bridges between itself and the community through maximum transparency and inclusion — up to, including, and after the moment board members cast their votes. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/2025/05/22/jcps-bo…It was a missed opportunity.
UK releases public records to The Kernel

1 month ago | forwardky.com | Amye Bensenhaver

Kentucky Kernel Special Projects Editor Casey Sebastiano reports that the University of Kentucky has released public records — requested by the newspaper — in compliance with a Fayette Circuit Court order. The records relate to an alleged September 2024 rape in Chellgren Hall. Specifically, “The Kernel requested records of non-UK student Chellgren Hall guests on Sept.
A split decision by AG Coleman

2 months ago | forwardky.com | Amye Bensenhaver

The Kentucky Attorney General recently issued an open meetings decision in an appeal pitting James Orlick against the House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education. In a March 11 complaint, Orlick alleged that the committee violated the law when it conducted a vote on a title amendment to HB 4 after the committee adjourned. The committee ignored Orlick’s complaint.
Attorney General sets dangerous precedent by declining jurisdiction in open meetings appeal involving the General Assembly

2 months ago | kyopengov.org | Amye Bensenhaver

The Kentucky Attorney General recently issued an open meetings decision in an appeal pitting James Orlick against the House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education. In a March 11 complaint, Orlick alleged that the committee violated the law when it conducted a vote on a title amendment to HB 4 after the committee adjourned. The committee ignored Orlick’s complaint.
The burden of UofL’s new president

2 months ago | forwardky.com | Amye Bensenhaver

UofL’s new President, Gerry Bradley, carries a heavy burden as the most recent in a series of transient office holders at a university that “has struggled to keep a permanent president since James Ramsey resigned in 2016.”Bradley bears the weight of public opinion following a secretive appointment process, conducted behind closed doors, about which no university official is willing to speak.
Secrecy breeds secrecy in the world of closed university presidential seaches

2 months ago | kyopengov.org | Amye Bensenhaver

UofL’s new President, Gerry Bradley, carries a heavy burden as the most recent in a series of transient office holders at a university that “has struggled to keep a permanent president since James Ramsey resigned in 2016.”https://www.whas11.com/article/news/education/university-of-louisville-…Bradley bears the weight of public opinion following a secretive appointment process, conducted behind closed doors, about which no university official is willing to speak.
History repeats itself in unexplained departure of Kentucky university presidents

Mar 30, 2025 | kyopengov.org | Amye Bensenhaver

In 2009, The Owensboro Messenger Inquirer experienced the frustration that University of Louisville stakeholders and others, as well as the media, are currently experiencing. In May, the president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System dismissed Paula Gastenveld from her position as President of Owensboro Community and Technical College, “a public institution supported by public funding.”No explanation was given for the dismissal.