The Maine Freedom of Information Coalition was founded as a nonprofit in January 2001.
Mission:
The Maine FOI Coalition believes that government best serves the public when it operates in the most open manner possible. Our members, which include media organizations, lawyers, academicians, public policy groups and like-minded individuals, strive to inform the public to the fullest extent possible about government actions. We seek broad access to information of and about government and the actions of government in order to do that. Government in the sunshine, we believe, is the best guarantor of a strong democracy.
Accomplishments:
November 2002 First statewide Public Records Audit
January 1, 2003 Release of public records audit report; Maine Chiefs of Police Association announce that police agencies in Maine will improve the intensity and frequency of training (based on audit results) to better adhere to access laws.
April 8, 23, 28, 30 and May 7, 2003 Participation in Maine Chiefs of Police Association annual training sessions for police in Vassalboro, South Portland, Wells, Hampden and Presque Isle.
June 2003 Passage of L.D. 249, An Act to Aid Law Enforcement in Complying with Maine’s Freedom of Access Act, and L.D. 1079, Resolve, to Study Compliance with Maine’s Freedom of Access Act.
June 2003 Participation in Maine Bar Association annual conference and training on Maine’s Freedom of Access Act.
October 10, 2003 Participation in Maine Municipal Association panel discussion titled “What’s Right & Wrong with Maine’s Right to Know Law,” at annual MMA conference.
November 2003 Lecture to Communication, Journalism and Law class at University of Maine at Orono
November 19, 2003 First meeting of legislative study commission on Maine’s Freedom of Access Act. Meetings continue through December.
January 26, 2004 Release of Final Report of the Committee to Study Compliance with Maine’s Freedom of Access Laws, available for review at http://www.state.me.us/legis/opla/reports2.htm.
February 12, 2004 Scheduled presentation of committee report on compliance before legislative Judiciary Committee.
Maine Freedom of Information Coalition 