A letter from government transparency organizations urges the Uniform Law Commission to prioritize the public’s right to know when it studies the redaction of personal information from public records. The June 17 letter was written by Sarah Brewerton-Palmer, legislative chair of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, and was edited and endorsed by Todd Fettig, the […]
Tag: Maine Freedom of Information Coalition
Audit of Maine police agencies produces inconsistent results; 1 in 5 didn’t respond
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 […]
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NEFAC, MFOIC, Maine News Groups Call for Preservation of State House Committee Recordings
The New England First Amendment Coalition expressed concern this week about a proposed policy that would limit access to recordings of the Maine State House Facilities Committee, calling such recordings “an invaluable tool to aid with accuracy and immediacy, and one that is in the public’s great interest.”
The State House Facilities Committee is responsible for, among other things, the management of the capitol grounds and legislative space in the State House. It is currently considering three policies for the recording of its public hearings:
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Maine: Only two of Portland’s 17 legislative candidates have signed an open government pledge
Of the 17 candidates seeking to represent Portland in the Maine Legislature, only two have signed a pledge to support open government if elected.
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Maine courts unseal documents after media challenge
The Maine court system reversed itself on sealing some court records after pressure from media groups, officials said Wednesday.
Dismissed criminal cases that had been ordered sealed will remain public records as they have in the past, according to a spokeswoman for the Maine court system. Continue…
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Maine panel wary of boosting power of state ombudsman in document fights
NFOIC state affiliate Maine Freedom of Information Coalition is helping to drive this effort:
Lawmakers are treading carefully as they consider a request to grant investigative and enforcement powers to the state official who mediates disputes over access to government records and meetings.
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Maine Supreme Court ordered to release 911 transcripts in Biddeford murder case
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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Legal dispute over public access to 911 calls reaches Maine’s highest court
From Bangor Daily News: PORTLAND, Maine — Attorneys on opposite sides of a legal dispute over public access to 911 call transcripts suggested Monday that dangerous precedents could be set if their sides did not prevail.
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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for July 5, 2013
From NFOIC: A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.
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