Advocacy Priority Tracker

What efforts is Radio Free Hub City currently focusing on advocating for across local, state, and even federal governments? To accompany our demanding of New Year Resolutions by governments, we’re establishing a central portal for tracking these issues.

Government Transparency

Radio Free Hub City remains committed to demanding greater transparency from local and state governments. In 2024, we filed nearly 50 Maryland Public Information Act requests, successfully shedding light on key issues, including government actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Washington County cybersecurity incident of 2022. These efforts have already begun to yield results, with improvements in local processes and anticipated document releases in the new year. However, our work is far from over. We advocate for proactive transparency, ensuring timely public access to critical information, and continue to challenge the lengthy delays that hinder accountability, as exemplified by the two-year wait for cybersecurity incident details.

Accountability and Fiscal Responsibility

Radio Free Hub City is launching an ambitious initiative to scrutinize unusual and wasteful expenditures by local and regional governments. This includes investigating outdated state laws, such as the requirement to publish public notices in printed newspapers, and other questionable spending, like renaming streets and the implementation of ineffective traffic control measures. Our goal is to highlight inefficiencies, advocate for smarter fiscal policies, and push for changes that benefit taxpayers. By holding governments accountable for their financial decisions, we aim to foster more responsible and efficient use of public funds.

Protection of Civil Liberties

Radio Free Hub City stands firm in its commitment to defending civil liberties. Recent events, such as viewpoint discrimination at local public meetings and high-profile incidents like the arrest of a resident in Surprise, Arizona, underscore the need for vigilance. Additionally, evolving law enforcement technologies, including AI-powered facial recognition, present emerging privacy concerns that demand public scrutiny. Through our reporting, we aim to protect the rights of individuals to freely express their opinions and ensure that advancements in technology do not come at the cost of fundamental freedoms.