Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information
Minutes, Oct. 18, 2017
The meeting was at Wood-n-Tap, 99 Sisson Ave., Hartford.
Present: Dan Klau, Melissa Scheffey, Tom Scheffey, Colleen Murphy, Zach Janowski, Michele Jacklin, Jeff Daniels, Paula Pearlman, Chris Powell, George Lombardi, Gary Gold, Mitch Pearlman, Mary Connolly.
The minutes of the Sept. 28, 2017 meeting were accepted.
Treasurer’s report: Lombardi reported a balance of $6,451.77.
CT-N: There was discussion of the status of the Connecticut Network, owned and funded by the legislature but run by the nonprofit Connecticut Public Affairs Network. In the midst of the state budget crisis, the legislature is proposing not only a cut in funding for CT-N but an end to editorial independence. There would be a mandate to cover legislators’ news conferences and a requirement that coverage of state news beyond the legislature be subject to legislative approval.
CCFOI continues to support an independent CT-N, which helps inform the people of Connecticut and encourages accountability by state government. There was discussion of how to get that message out. Klau, Jacklin and Daniels will work on a press release.
Legislative relations: There was discussion of enhancing our presence at the legislature by meeting with legislative leaders and keeping CCFOI members better informed on pending legislation and scheduled hearings.
2018 legislative session: There was discussion of setting the 2018 agenda. Murphy reported concern that there will be proposals to restrict the release of voter data, in response to the Trump administration’s request for voter data.
Looking ahead: The next CCFOI meeting will be Nov. 15 at noon at Wood-n-Tap.