Freedom of Access
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PublishedJuly 2, 2024
Gov. Mills sued over alleged violation of Freedom of Access Act
The lawsuit, from the editor of a conservative media outlet, seeks the release of information regarding Gov. Mill's schedule during the December storm that wreaked havoc in Maine.
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PublishedJune 13, 2024
Maine Trust for Local News wins award for coverage of Lewiston shooting
The Freedom of Information Award from the New England First Amendment Coalition recognizes the group of newspapers for 'relentlessly' requesting public information from the government that helped it report on Maine's deadliest mass shooting.
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PublishedJanuary 24, 2024
Judge fines agency $130,000 for shielding records of Kennebec County Correctional Facility settlement
Taxpayers are on the hook for more than $200,000 as a result of the first Maine ruling to penalize an agency for withholding public records.
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PublishedNovember 10, 2023
Agency to fork up nearly $200,000 for shielding public records related to Kennebec County jail
The Maine County Commissioners Association Risk Pool is the first government entity in Maine to be penalized for wrongly withholding documents since the Freedom of Access Act became law in 1959.
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PublishedAugust 30, 2023
Free consultancy work of failed UMA president raises questions about university payout deal
Maine's state university system officials say Michael Laliberte is meeting the requirements of a settlement that has netted him nearly $300,000, but they refuse to provide proof.
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PublishedAugust 10, 2023
Central Maine town councilor blows whistle on ‘secret meetings’ held at chairman’s property
While councilor Jerry Quirion claims a quorum of councilors have discussed town business in secret at Peter Drapeau's property, the chairman said the claim is false and part of a personal vendetta.
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PublishedMarch 12, 2023
Commentary: Maine’s ‘sunshine’ law has lost its power to illuminate
In recent years, the Freedom of Access Act process has become increasingly unreliable. If we care about transparency, we have no choice but to reform it.
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PublishedMarch 4, 2023
Access denied: Authorities refuse to release records for Maine school shooter hoax calls
First Amendment advocates across New England say the sweeping decision sets a dangerous precedent.
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PublishedJanuary 3, 2023
School districts overwhelmed with public records requests
Some school districts throughout Maine say they're receiving more FOAA requests than ever before, following national efforts by education-focused conservative groups.
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PublishedDecember 15, 2022
Maine Voices: Gorham educators under attack for political ends
Processes in place to ensure parents have a role in the oversight of the schools have been hijacked.