At last night's work session on Senator Lisa Marrache's bill, LD 1353, to hide public employees names, the Judiciary Committee voted a unanimous "Ought Not To Pass," sending a message that Maine government should stay open and accountable to citizens and taxpayers.
Chris Cinquemani, Public Affairs Director for Maine Leads, a citizen group committed to lower taxes and government transparency, said in the organizations press release, "Elected officials, regardless of
their party, have an obligation to protect our right to access public
information. The members of the Judiciary Committee met that obligation,
and defended the citizens and taxpayers from an attack on open
government."
An online petition against LD 1353, a bill to hide public employees names from public view, has gathered hundreds of signatures from citizens and taxpayers.
In the comments section of the petition, many have expressed frustration with Maine Democrat leaders, who have co-sponsored this bill..."Any Legislator in favor of LD 1353 is countering the Obama transparency
doctrine and would be pandering to their voters instead of looking at
the larger picture to do the right thing. I hope that electioneering is
behind us and our elected officials would vote for what is right for
the entire State of Maine"says one petition signer.
Another petitioner pleads with legislators to take a stand. "I urge my representatives to vote against LD 1353. Maine citizens
should know how their taxes are being spent. This information should
not be censored."
Included in the list of those signing are State Employees, "I am an employee of the University of Maine so my salary
is available for viewing . . . but I believe that tax payers should
have access to all state employees salaries, including names, position,
etc."
The public hearing on LD 1353, a bill that would hide public employee names from public access and attempt to shut down MaineOpenGov.org, drew a large crowd at the State House Thursday afternoon and into the evening.
(click on the names below to read the written testimony)
Fifteen people testified in opposition to LD 1353, including Tarren Bragdon, CEO of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, Mal Leary, President of the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition Jeff Inglis, Managing Editor of the Portland Phoenix, and , Chris Cinquemani, Public Affairs Director at Maine Leads. Also testifying were Pem Schaeffer of Brunswick and the President of Maine Taxpayers United, Gary Foster
As you can watch in the video below, the bills sponsor, Senator Lisa Marrache, contends that posting this public information is dangerous, and that allowing people to comment anonymously on the public information is wrong and there should be government censorship applied.
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