Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information
Minutes, Sept. 28, 2017
The meeting was at Wood-n-Tap, 99 Sisson Ave., Hartford.
Present: Dan Klau, Chris Powell, Tom Scheffey, Jim Smith, George Lombardi, Colleen Murphy, John Bailey, Paula Pearlman, Mary Connolly.
The minutes of the June 29, 2017 annual meeting were accepted.
Treasurer’s report: Lombardi reported a balance of $6,396.77. There was discussion of expanding the list of potential members. Suggestions should be sent to Klau.
Legislative report: The state budget debate continues. Republicans and Democrats are using the same number for the Freedom of Information Commission, $1.5 million, which means a cut for FOIC.
Legislative agenda: We began a discussion of priorities, including our yearly effort to win more access to historic records. Bailey said CCFOI has to be strategic in setting goals since other issues will pop up and we will have to play defense. He will try to set up a meeting with legislative leaders.
CFOG free speech education program: Volunteers are needed for the journalist-lawyer teams that will speak to students around Connecticut, using a curriculum that is already completed. There has been a good response from schools and the state Department of Education has shown interest. The program begins in the new year. Volunteers should contact Mitch Pearlman.
Looking ahead: The next CCFOI meeting will be Oct. 18 at noon at Wood-n-Tap.