Proposal would exempt Maine governor's "working papers" from Freedom of...
From Bangor Daily News:read more
View ArticleMembers of media, others oppose bill to exempt governor’s ‘working papers’...
From Bangor Daily News: Media members and others testified Thursday before a legislative committee in opposition to a proposal from the governor that would exempt all of his “working papers” from...
View ArticleMaine governor vowed transparency, now seeks more secrecy than law allows
Opinion from George Smith, writer and TV talk show host, via Kennebec Journal:read more
View ArticleMaine senator to receive open government award
From Boston.com: AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A state senator from Bucksport is to receive the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition’s annual Sunshine Award for his efforts to keep government information...
View ArticleMaine 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...
View ArticleNot just a federal issue: Transparency declining in local government, some say
It was a chilling crime and, even with a quick arrest, disturbing questions lingered. Derrick Thompson called 911 in the coastal Maine city of Biddeford to report that he was being threatened. Police...
View ArticleMaine government scrutinizes official use of secret messaging system
A spokeswoman for Gov. Paul LePage says the administration is reviewing state policies to determine whether to ban the use of secret messaging systems, which could enable state officials to circumvent...
View ArticleOur View: Government does not operate well in secret
You can do the wrong thing even for what sounds like a good reason. Just take a look at what the Maine Department of Public Safety has in mind for the upcoming legislative session. read more
View ArticleMaine Judge Bars Reporting of Court Testimony
The New England First Amendment Coalition on Tuesday denounced a recent court order by a Maine District Court judge barring journalists from reporting testimony given by witnesses during a public...
View ArticleMaine: Transparency advocates question secret budget deal
AUGUSTA — Legislative leaders on both sides of the political aisle Tuesday defended a $6.7 billion state budget and tax bill crafted largely in secret negotiations between party leaders, saying they...
View ArticleMaine Legislature shields staff salaries from Open Checkbook disclosure
State employees working for the Maine Legislature have had their salary and benefits information shielded from a state-operated, public database that provides the same information on all other state...
View ArticleDoes keeping hazardous rail cargo secret make Maine safer?
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...
View ArticleTransparency bill gets second life in Maine Legislature
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...
View ArticleA Year of Progress and Achievement for Maine Government Technology
Throughout 2015, the state of Maine, in partnership with its eGovernment portal provider InforME, made significant strides and advancements to the state’s web presence (www.Maine.gov) creating new...
View ArticlePublic records requests in Maine on an uptick
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...
View ArticleMaine rail cargo secrecy law bypassed public access, safety defenses
After a runaway oil train killed 47 people in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, just miles from the Maine border in 2013, Mainers demanded to know more about the state’s railways. How much oil was moving through...
View ArticleEditorial: Fine would teach Maine education funding panel about open meetings...
The first meeting this week of a special state commission on education funding has made clear that the panel has a lot to learn about government transparency and accountability. The group flouted...
View ArticleLawmaker’s call to stop recording Maine legislative committees thwarted
In what could be a blow to public access to Maine’s State House proceedings, Sen. Garrett Mason, R-Lisbon, is questioning whether legislative committee meetings should continue to be recorded and...
View ArticleSouth Portland Police Department releases its body camera policy
The South Portland Police Department has released the document that spells out its officers should use the body cameras that they will begin wearing in a few weeks. The department posted the policy on...
View ArticleMaine lawmakers routinely use private email for public business
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...
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