Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information
Minutes, Dec. 19, 2025
The regular monthly meeting was via Zoom.
Present: Michele Jacklin, Tom Scheffey, Jacqueline Smith, Mary Connolly, Mitch Pearlman, Karen Florin, Chris Powell, Mike Savino, Katherine Revello, Jodie Gil, Jeff Daniels, Paul Bass, Russell Blair, Coleen Murphy, Liz Gemski.
The minutes for the Nov. 21, 2025 meeting were accepted.
Paul Bass joins the CCFOI board: Bass was unanimously elected to the board. After 17 years as editor of the New Haven Independent, Bass has stepped down from that role to return to full-time reporting for the New Haven Independent. Welcome!
Update on Tong’s FOI case: There is continuing confusion and concern about the attorney general’s appeal of a decision by the Freedom of Information Commission. The FOIC decision involved a citizen’s FOI complaint that requested documents included numerous redactions. The FOIC found some of the documents should be available to the public without redaction. Tong’s argument is that all General Assembly records that relate to “legitimate legislative activities” are exempt from disclosure under the FOI Act, citing provisions of the Connecticut Constitution. The 50-year-old FOI Act has always been applied to legislative documents. Legislative leaders say they either weren’t consulted on Tong’s appeal or defer to Tong’s judgment.
Concerns about public access to private information: In response to actual and verbal political threats, legislative support has grown for proposals to limit public access to the personal information of public employees. The board again discussed a compromise that would address concerns about privacy and safety within a framework similar to the one in place for judges. A case-by-case process would be preferred.
Other legislative issues: Gemski said the 2026 session will include proposals to limit public access to voters’ information, documents related to much of the work at the University of Connecticut, school superintendent participation in executive sessions, police body cam videos and algorithms used in public policy decisions.
Treasurer’s report: Smith reported a balance of $5,512.63.
Tutorial on legislative testimony: Jacklin has planned a tutorial for board members interested in presenting testimony, in-person or virtually. Mitch Pearlman will send a Zoom link. It will be on Jan. 6, but the exact time has not been set.
Looking ahead: The next CCFOI monthly meeting will be Friday, Jan. 16, at 9 a.m. via Zoom. CFOG’s “Stories Beyond the Big Stories” is Jan. 20, 5-7 p.m., Elmwood Community Center, 1106 New Britain Ave., West Hartford.