Sen. Kissel: State Ruling A “Victory for Government Transparency”
October 8, 2013The state’s decision not to appeal a ruling from the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission which requires open meetings represents a “victory for government transparency,” Sen. John A. Kissel said today.
The state’s Attorney General’s office last week said it would not spend taxpayers’ money to challenge the FOI panel’s ruling requiring the state Board of Pardons and Paroles to deliberate in public. (See attached letter.)
Sen. Kissel had written to Attorney General George Jepsen on Sep. 26 urging Jepsen’s office not to appeal the FOI ruling.
“It’s really a clear issue,” Sen. Kissel said. “The Board of Pardons and Paroles must operate in an open and public way. Secret meetings and meetings behind closed doors do not serve the public good. This process needs to be open and transparent because transparency discourages corruption and political favoritism. The decision by the Attorney General is a victory for government transparency.”