When law enforcement agencies across Maine were asked to turn over records of complaints and discipline, some departments provided a bundle of records, some provided basic information — and one in five did not respond at all. That’s according to an audit conducted by the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition, a member of the National […]
Read More… from Audit of Maine police agencies produces inconsistent results; 1 in 5 didn’t respond
In advance of the June 7 public hearing regarding whether the public will be allowed access to electronic court records, we will look at overall transparency in Maine state government, from access to information through FOIA requests to financial disclosure measures, accountability laws and ethics agencies. A 2015 report by the Center for Public Integrity ranked […]
Read More… from Government Transparency: How Does Maine Make Information Accessible to the Public?
A state agency withheld a public record from the Bangor Daily News even as it emailed the same record to the state’s public access watchdog. Such unexplained instances of withholding records are “becoming the norm,” according to the attorney who helped write Maine’s freedom of access law. The small case over a simple record — […]
Read More… from Maine state agency holds back a simple record, flouting public access law
The New England First Amendment Coalition today opposed Maine legislation that would cause unnecessary delays to the release of public records.
The legislation, L.D. 1432, allows an agency or official to “require payment of all costs before the public record is provided to the requester” under the state’s Freedom of Access Act.
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Private email for public business was a front and center controversy during the presidential election.
Now the I-Team discovers some Maine lawmakers routinely bypass the state email server and use their personal accounts for state business, raising questions of transparency and accountability.
Even when they're in session, most Maine lawmakers are never far from their devices and their emails, in constant contact with lobbyists, donors, and their constituents.
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Read More… from Maine lawmakers routinely use private email for public business
Maine people are interested in what their governments are up to.
That's the upshot of a new report issued by the state's ombudsman for opening meetings and public records.
In 2015, there were 416 inquiries about public meetings and public records handled by Brenda Kielty, a lawyer with the Maine Attorney General's Office.
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Read More… from Public records requests in Maine on an uptick
A state senator from Cape Neddick is hoping her initiative aimed at improving government transparency will be revived this week.
Democrat Dawn Hill will have to convince at least one Republican leader to support her efforts to enhance the flow of information between state agencies and the Legislature. The legislative council rejected Hill's bill last month along party lines, but the sponsor says there are new developments that warrant a second look.
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Read More… from Transparency bill gets second life in Maine Legislature
Information revealing when, where and how much hazardous material is shipped by rail through Maine became sealed from public view under state law earlier this month, in a move first responders hope will allow them greater access to information about dangerous materials passing through the state.
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Read More… from Does keeping hazardous rail cargo secret make Maine safer?
A closed Facebook group focused on Brunswick, Maine, schools has raised “red flags” for the state’s public access ombudsman and town leaders, who said Thursday they would look into the use of social media by elected officials.
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Read More… from Brunswick officials ask if closed Facebook group skirts open meeting law
From Portland Press Herald: (Nov. 14, 2013) The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has ruled unanimously in favor of the Portland Press Herald’s appeal requesting authorities to release transcripts of 911 calls in a Biddeford murder case, opening the door on whether other 911 recordings are public record.
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Read More… from Maine Supreme Court ordered to release 911 transcripts in Biddeford murder case
