News

Rotundo, Koffman's Efforts for Freedom of Access Recognized

Augusta - Senator Peggy Rotundo (D- Androscoggin County) and Rep. Ted Koffman, D-Bar Harbor were recently presented with a special award by the Maine Press Association. The award recognized their efforts as Co-Chairs of the Freedom of Access Study Committee. This was a special committee formed by the Legislature to increase public access to government information.Right, Senator Margaret Rotundo, Senate District 16, Androscoggin County

The Freedom of Access Award is given by the Press Association at their annual Fall conference, and is traditionally given to those in the news media who make special efforts to ensure public access to information. This is the first time the award has ever gone to elected officials.

"We honored Senator Rotundo and Representative Koffman for their efforts leading the Freedom of Access Study Committee. Working with a diverse group of organizations who often had conflicting goals, they brought forth consensus instead of stalemate," stated Jeff Ham, Executive Director of the Maine Press Association. "By focusing on those areas where they could turn out a product in the form of a recommendation or legislation they were able to make real progress."

For her part, Senator Rotundo felt the Committee had a very critical role to play. "Never has the need for a free and independent press been greater," said Senator Rotundo. "In order for us to live in a strong democracy, citizens must have an understanding of their government's work. I am pleased that we have been able to strengthen Maine citizens' access to public information and I am honored to have been able to work with others to help make this happen."

The Study Committee was formed after the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition (www.mfoic.org ) conducted an audit of public records accessibility in 2002, and then was instrumental in the establishment of the Committee to Study Compliance with Maine's Freedom of Access Laws. (Resolve 2003, chapter 83.) in 2003. The 16-member study committee, comprised of representatives of the public, including The Monument Newspaper Editor Elizabeth Prata, the press, broadcasters, law enforcement, school districts, local government, the Attorney General and the Legislature, met throughout the fall and winter, and made several recommendations to improve and ensure access to public records and public proceedings in 2004. Above, Rep. Ted Koffman, D-Bar Harbor District 35 - Bar Harbor, Cranberry Isles, part of Mount Desert and Southwest Harbor

The study committee's initial report is available online:

http://www.state.me.us/legis/opla/FOAlaws.htm. The Legislature enacted recommendations concerning the inspection and copying of public records, the handling of executive sessions, and the examination of the hundreds of statutory exceptions to the law defining "public records". Public Law 2003, chapter 709 also expanded the duties of the study committee and extended the reporting deadline to November 2004.

The Committee to Study Compliance with Maine's Freedom of Access Laws was allowed by the Legislature to continue their work in the next legislative session in reviewing to what extent the home contact information of public employees should be designated as confidential; appropriate charges for copies of public records; appropriate charges for remote electronic access to public records; voice-mail and e-mail; conducting public proceedings electronically; attorneys fees and remedies for noncompliance; standardization and clarification of the public access and confidentiality laws; and other options for improving compliance with the laws and enhancing public access to public proceedings.