Every week I climb into the depths of the local political blogosphere to find the Sunlight. I use this series to highlight local blogs that do a great job of covering local, state, and congressional political news. This week I have highlights from Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Nevada, Alaska and Connecticut. In Pennsylvania, Keystone Politics highlights Gov. Rendell’s directive which allows agencies to charge for open records requests and redacting information.  Even the state’s open record chief doesn’t agree.  This directive soul purpose looks to dissuade people from filing open records requests.

In South Carolina, FitnessNews.com writes about the chaotic scene surrounding legislation for more transparency in state government.  Apparently the Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell’s transparency legislation isn’t optimal according to critics.  So his response is to change rules that doesn’t allow debate.  This is an interesting take on transparency.

West Texas Times writes about Abilene City Hall raising rate of open records requests to dissuade people from applying. The West Texas Times was quoted $93 for 25 pages from the city.  Seems a little extravagent.

Budget Watch Nevada has a thought provoking write up about politics and corruption.

Progressive Alaska talks about this years Muckrakers ball.  An award ceremoney for exception muckrakers.  Excellent Idea. Connecticut Commentry talks about anonymous votes that raise salaries for government employees.  How can you be accountable with taxpayer money if you don’t even openly vote on allocating it? Oh you can’t.