Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information Minutes, March 9, 2026 This legislative update meeting was via Zoom. Present: Michele Jacklin, Tom Scheffey, Jacqueline Smith, Mary Connolly, Chris Powell, Jeff Daniels, Paul Bass, Mike Savino, Katherine Revello, Jodie Gil, Russell Blair, Continue reading CCFOI meeting minutes: March 6, 2026
About 125 journalists and open government advocates gathered at Farmington Gardens on June 10 for the first joint CT Journalism and Open Government Awards Dinner. The event was co-hosted by the Connecticut pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists Continue reading PHOTOS: 2026 CCFOI awards
The Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information will honor lawmakers, public officials and a journalist who have supported government transparency in Connecticut. Lifetime Achievement Award Colleen Murphy will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual who has Continue reading FOI advocates to be honored by CCFOI
Two of the state’s preeminent journalism organizations, the CT chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (CT SPJ) and the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information (CCFOI), will host a joint awards dinner honoring journalists, media advocates and public officials Continue reading Announcing the CT Journalism and Open Government Awards
Prepared for The Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information by Liz Gemski, Kozak & Salina The 2026 legislative session was the second year of a two-year session called the short session, convening on February 4 and adjourning on May 6. Continue reading 2026 Connecticut legislative session recap
04/27/2026 By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas Hearst Connecticut Newspapers Officials representing two of the state’s three branches of government are arguing that large parts of their operations are shielded from the state’s open records law – while the third branch has Continue reading Connecticut officials argue they don’t have to release some records
04/27/2026 By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Alex Putterman, and Brianna Gurciullo Hearst Connecticut newspapers Read the full story here. As Gov. Ned Lamont weighed whether to sign controversial housing and striking workers legislation last year, some of that work unfolded on Continue reading Lamont used private email, phone for state business, leaving gap in public records
Hearst Connecticut Media editorial 04/17/2026 While every year brings proposed changes to Connecticut’s Freedom of Information law, not all proposals are seeking exemptions that threaten to weaken it. There are a few FOI-related bills in this year’s legislative session that Continue reading Editorial: Not all proposed changes would weaken state’s FOI law
Connecticut FOI Commission Press Release 04/10/2026 The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission announced today that Danielle L. McGee has been appointed as its new Executive Director and General Counsel, marking a significant milestone in the Commission’s 50-year history. McGee is Continue reading Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission Appoints Danielle L. McGee as Executive Director and General Counsel
By Jacqueline Smith, Stars and Stripes 04/23/2026 A recent opinion column I wrote as the Stars and Stripes ombudsman began with this: “Pete Hegseth doesn’t want you to see cartoons in this newspaper anymore.” Apparently the Pentagon also doesn’t want Continue reading Ombudsman column: The Pentagon is trying to silence me
