January 21, 2009 |
2009-R-0058 | |
QUESTIONS FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION NOMINEE | ||
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By: Sandra Norman-Eady, Chief Attorney | ||
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION (CGS § 1-205)
• The Freedom of Information Commission consists of five members; appointed by the governor for four-year, staggered terms. No more than three may be from the same political party. Either chamber of the General Assembly confirms.
• The commission staff is composed of (1) an executive director and general counsel, (2) a managing director and associate general counsel, and (3) other staff as the executive director deems necessary.
• The commission reviews complaints of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) violations and ensures that the public has access to government records and notice of public meetings.
• It can investigate allegations and, among other things, hold hearings, administer oaths, examine witnesses, receive oral and documentary evidence, and subpoena witnesses.
• The commission must conduct annual training sessions, together with the Department of Information Technology, to educate state employees about FOIA.
QUESTIONS FOR THE NOMINEE
1. In today's fiscal climate when government reorganization is on the minds of many, what is the commission doing to improve its performance and reach its goals?
2. What benchmarks are in place to measure performance?
3. The Judicial Branch continues to work on ways to allow public access to judicial records and proceedings. How would you describe the public's interest in access to these records and proceedings?
4. PA 08-03, June Special Session, requires public agencies to post notices of meeting minutes on their website, if available. We understand that the commission has offered to help local agencies comply with the law. How is the commission interpreting the law? What suggestions is it offering local agencies?
5. In 2000, the commission drafted a model ordinance on the establishment of a municipal Freedom of Information Advisory Board to act as a liaison between citizens and the state commission. How many municipalities adopted the ordinance? How has the existence of the board in these towns affected the number of complaints against public agencies located there?
6. What is the commission doing to encourage the establishment of these advisory boards in other towns?
7. Each year bills are introduced to expand the list of public officials whose residential addresses are exempted from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Why was the initial law passed? How is the commission interpreting the duty imposed under the law to keep these addresses confidential?
SNE:ts