Maine Civil Liberties Union Endorses Senator Weston’s Efforts to Strengthen Freedom of Access Law

AUGUSTA – Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston’s bill to foster a more responsible, responsive government has earned the endorsement of the Maine Civil Liberties Union (MCLU), the state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union.

LD 1881: “An Act To Improve Transparency and Accountability in Government,” would change Maine’s Freedom of Access Law to require a governmental body or agency to oblige requests for public information quickly and effectively. Under current law, requests for public information can essentially be ignored after acknowledgement that the request has been received. This allows a governmental body to shirk its responsibilities to uphold the right to information that belongs to the public.

Sen. Weston’s bill would create a timeline that a governmental body must follow to comply with requests for public records. It addition, it would change the current law to allow public information requests to be made via telephone, and have those records mailed to that person. The bill also establishes procedures for requests for inspections or copies of public records, and would direct the Attorney General to create a sign to be posted in every governmental body or agency informing the public of their rights, and the procedures surrounding requests for public information.

In a press release announcing the endorsement, MCLU Executive Director Shenna Bellows explained: “This bill gives more people access to more public records in a timely manner and guarantees that Mainers have the information they need to participate in their government.”

Other supporters of Sen. Weston’s bill include Judiciary Committee Co-Chairs Senator Barry Hobbins (D-Saco) and Representative Deborah Simpson (D-Auburn), as well as the lead Republican Senator on the committee, Senator Dave Hastings (R-Fryeburg). Senate President Beth Edmonds (D-Freeport), House Republican Leader Josh Tardy (R-Newport), Assistant House Republican Leader Robert Crosthwaite (R-Ellsworth), the Health and Human Services Committee’s lead Republican Senator, Kevin Raye (R-Perry), the State and Local Government Committee’s lead Republican Senator, Paula Benoit (R-Phippsburg), and Representative Marilyn Canavan (D-Waterville), the Government Oversight Committee Chair have also signed on in support of the bill.

Sen. Weston was encouraged by the MCLU’s endorsement. “The support this bill has received is truly outstanding,” she said. “The public faces challenges because our current law is simply not strong enough. I’m very excited by the support shown for this bill to remove the obstacles the public faces as they seek to exercise their right to access the information that belongs to them.”

LD 1881 will receive its public hearing before the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, May 9 at 1:00 pm. Anyone interested in advancing the public’s right to information is encouraged to attend the hearing and testify in support.

Sen. Weston, of Montville, represents Senate District 23, which includes all of Waldo County. She can be reached in Augusta at 287-1505, in Montville at 589-4481, or by e-mail at cweston@fairpoint.net.

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