Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information
Minutes, Feb. 19, 2025
The regular monthly board meeting was via Zoom.
Present: Mike Savino, Michele Jacklin, Tom Scheffey, Mary Connolly, Jacqueline Smith, Jeff Daniels, Chris Powell, Clare Dignan, Katherine Revello, Paula Pearlman, Russell Blair, Liz Gemski.
The minutes of the Jan. 15, 2025 monthly meeting were accepted.
We welcomed a new board member, Katherine Revello, a reporter for Inside Investigator, the nonprofit journalism outlet founded by Yankee Institute. Revello’s work often focuses on FOI and government transparency issues.
Legislative update: Gemski reported legislative support is growing to exempt the residential addresses of teachers from public disclosure under the FOI Act. Exempting the residential addresses of public employees from the FOI Act has long been opposed by CCFOI and other FOI advocates, arguing an address exemption does not protect anyone since much more than home addresses is easily available on the internet. But Gemski said legislators who support FOI issues say a new approach on this issue is needed. Given the political atmosphere, fears expressed by teachers and other public employees are resonating. Gemski said legislators are asking for our help in finding a solution.
Treasurer’s report: Smith reported a balance of $11,998.89, an increase from last month because sizeable contributions have arrived. Thanks to all, including Hearst Connecticut Media and the Connecticut Foundation for Open Government.
Legislative update meetings: With the legislature in session, we will return to having two monthly meetings. The regular monthly meeting will be the third Wednesday of the month. The legislative update meeting will be the first Wednesday of each month. Stay tuned for any changes to this schedule.
Looking ahead: The next monthly meeting will be March 19 at 9 a.m. via Zoom.