Governor M. Jodi Rell today gave written testimony to the Legislature’s Government Elections and Administration Committee in support of her legislation that would strengthen the state’s Freedom of Information Act by making legislative and judicial records subject to the same retention standards as the Executive Branch. Governor Rell’s proposal – Senate Bill 30, An Act Concerning Legislative and Judicial Records and Concerning the Freedom of Information Act Exemption from Disclosure for Preliminary Drafts or Notes, would also require agencies to make individual determinations that the public interest is served by withholding preliminary notes or drafts from disclosure.
“The Freedom of Information Act – our “sunshine law” – is one of the most important tools for keeping all branches of state government open and accountable to the people of Connecticut,” Governor Rell said. “It is important that we have a consistent policy across all branches of government when it comes to keeping records and turning them over to the state Librarian.
“It is equally important that public agencies follow not only the letter but the spirit of the Freedom of Information law – and that applies not only to ‘final’ public documents but the drafts and notes that go into their creation,” the Governor said. “Rather than adopting a blanket policy that all notes or drafts be withheld from disclosure, such documents should be considered on a case-by-case basis.”
