"Sen. Huelskamp has been a persistent and consistent friend of open government," said Randy Brown, executive director of the coalition and a senior fellow at Wichita State University.

Doug Anstaett, executive director of the Kansas Press Association and coalition board member, also praised the senator for his work on the sunshine initiatives.

"Tim Huelskamp was a leading advocate for open government during the 2005 legislative session. We could not have accomplished so much without his leadership," Anstaett said.

Senators in 2005 helped push through a number of open government initiatives. SB78 requires that all county and district attorneys report annually on all complaints they receive about open records and open meetings issues. Another sunshine initiative makes public compensation agreements, public or private, involving anyone in a public position. Yet another requires that the records of private research contracts for faculty members at Kansas universities be open to the public...

...The Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, now based at the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University, is composed of media representatives, teachers, students and other citizens who believe that open government is essential to a democratic society. The coalition's main goal is to enhance awareness of open government issues. For more information on the Coalition contact Randy Brown at 316-978-6080 or randy.brown@wichita.edu or wsurandy@aol.com.

Kansas Sunshine Coalition News Release, January 13, 2006