Effective September 25, 2026
PublicSense is an independent civic information project created to help ordinary residents understand public decisions and ask better questions.
Our editorial promise
We aim to explain consequential issues in clear language, support factual statements with reliable evidence, and show readers the records behind the explanation. Our standard explainers carry a three-minute maximum-read promise because civic information should be useful without becoming another burden on the reader.
Accuracy and corrections
We do our best to ensure accuracy, but we will get something wrong from time to time. When we do, we commit to acknowledging the error quickly and correcting the record as soon as possible. A substantive correction should explain what was wrong and what was changed. New evidence may also lead us to update an article even when the earlier reporting was reasonable based on the information then available.
Facts, claims, and uncertainty
We distinguish verified facts from allegations, estimates, opinions, and official explanations. An unanswered question is not proof of wrongdoing. When the available records do not support a firm conclusion, we say what is known, what remains uncertain, and what evidence would help answer the question.
Sources and fairness
We prefer primary records when reasonably available, including budgets, contracts, agendas, audits, ordinances, data, and direct statements. We link to source material when practical. People or institutions facing meaningful criticism should receive a reasonable opportunity to respond. Their decision not to respond does not prevent publication, but we will accurately state that a response was requested.
Reader questions and investigations
PublicSense welcomes questions but is not an on-demand research service. A submission does not obligate PublicSense to conduct an investigation or file a public-information request. We independently select work based on public importance, available evidence, likely community value, fairness, and editorial capacity.
We may decline, combine, defer, or redirect questions that are repetitive, personal, speculative, retaliatory, abusive, already answered by accessible public information, or disproportionate to their public value. When appropriate, we may instead show a reader how to locate records or submit a focused public-information request. Helping residents learn how to obtain and evaluate information is part of the mission.
ASK AGAIN submissions
ASK AGAIN allows a reader to identify what remains unclear after reading an explainer. PublicSense may answer from existing records, revise an explainer, publish a follow-up response, seek additional records, or determine that the available evidence does not support further work. We protect reader contact information and remove unnecessary identifying details from any question we publish.
Conflicts and disclosures
PublicSense should disclose a personal, professional, political, financial, or organizational relationship when it could reasonably affect how a reader evaluates the work. A disclosed relationship does not automatically prevent coverage, but the reporting and sourcing should be strong enough for readers to evaluate the work independently.
Compensation
This work is performed as a service to the community. No one working on behalf of PublicSense receives compensation of any kind for the work. If that ever changes, we commit to informing our readers for their awareness.
Use of technology
PublicSense may use research, drafting, editing, transcription, data, or artificial-intelligence tools to assist its work. Technology does not replace editorial responsibility. PublicSense remains responsible for what it publishes and for checking material factual claims against the underlying sources.
Not professional advice
Information contained on this site does not constitute legal or legislative advice and should not be construed as such. Readers should consult an appropriate qualified professional or public agency when a decision requires advice specific to their circumstances.
Questions and corrections
Questions, correction requests, or relevant supporting records may be sent to ask@makepublicsense.com.