Connecticut – Page 2 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Connecticut watchdog agencies fear results of deep cuts

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The state’s watchdog agencies, whose budgets constitute a miniscule amount of the $19.8 billion state budget next year, say more cuts will leave them unable to function.

The executive directors of the Freedom of Information Commission, the State Election Enforcement Commission and the Office of State Ethics told the New Haven Register’s editorial board Thursday that their collective mission to provide transparency and keep government honest is being threatened.

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Editorial: Agenda for Connecticut government: Restore transparency, accountability

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In 2015, the legislature passed a bill that restored much of the public access to police arrest records that had been lost in a devastating state Supreme Court decision.

That legislative action — and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's signature — amounted to a welcome (and these days rare) victory for the cause of open government.

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Connecticut Supreme Court affirms teacher misconduct records are public

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The Connecticut Supreme Court affirmed Monday that records of alleged misconduct by teachers at public schools and universities in the state are public records subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act.

In a unanimous decision by Justice Dennis G. Eveleigh, the state’s highest court rejected an effort by a former University of Connecticut Health Center professor to block the release of a report about allegations he was abusive to staff.

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FOI hearing to decide whether teacher evaluation data should be public

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The Freedom of Information Commission will weigh in later in the month on whether or not raw collective teacher evaluation data in Connecticut should be public information.

As more and more states make changes to teacher evaluation systems to increase effectiveness in providing meaningful feedback, more and more controversy has arisen on what the best way to do so is. Continue…
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In Connecticut, open government foes are winning

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With eroded powers and under continuing attack, Connecticut's first-of-a-kind Freedom of Information Act turns 40 on Thursday.

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Connecticut: State’s New Regulations Site Aims To Increase Accessibility, Transparency

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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – Gov. Dannel Malloy and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill recently announced Connecticut’s website of state regulations has relaunched with a goal of increasing public accessibility and transparency in the state’s regulation process.

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Connecticut: New Website is Transparent on State Budget

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What kind of bottled water do state legislators and their staff prefer? How about judges?

Those answers are available under an online program of financial transparency compiled by state comptroller Kevin Lembo. The latest expansion, unveiled Wednesday, allows citizens to find out all kinds of answers about the state budget over the past five years. Continue>>>

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Connecticut: Is State’s New Transparency Law For Charter Managers Strong Enough?

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After last year's debacle involving the Hartford-based Jumoke Academy charter school operation, many legislators arrived at the Capitol this year on a mission to improve the control and regulation of charter schools. A new law, passed with overwhelming support in the General Assembly but not yet signed by the governor, is designed to make charter schools and the charter management organizations that oversee them more accountable and transparent.

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Connecticut: City Attorney, Council members fight over transparency

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BRIDGEPORT — If elected City Council members want information from Mayor Bill Finch’s administration, they can always do what John and Jane Q Public does — file a Freedom of Information request and get in line.

That can mean waiting weeks and sometimes months for the data.

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Freedom of Information panel directs Connecticut State Police to release documents from Sandy Hook probe

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The state Freedom of Information Commission has ruled that State Police must release personal documents seized from Sandy Hook school shooter Adam Lanza's home during the investigation of the December 2012 rampage that left 20 children and six educators dead.

The agency ruled Wednesday in favor of the Hartford Courant (http://cour.at/1huZAxM ).

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