Freedom of Information Commission

At a Glance

COLLEEN M. MURPHY, Executive Director

Eric V. Turner, Managing Director

Mary E. Schwind, Director, Legal Department

Gloria J. Davis-Delancy, Chief Administrative Officer

Thomas A. Hennick, Public Education Officer

Established – 1975

Statutory authority – CGS Section 1-200 et. Seq.

Central office – 18-20 Trinity Street,

Hartford, CT 06106

Number of employees – 23

Recurring operating expenses – $ 2,257,397

Organizational structure – Commission

Mission

To ensure citizen access to the records and meetings of all public agencies in Connecticut.

Statutory Responsibility

To ensure that all public agencies comply with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Public Service

The Commission holds hearings and renders decisions on citizen complaints alleging denial of access under the FOIA. It also conducts educational programs and prepares literature for public officials and the general public.

Improvements/Achievements 2009-10

The Commission continued its efforts to efficiently tackle its heavy volume of contested cases, placing emphasis on its ombudsman program as it had done the previous year. Nonetheless, the continuing upward spiral of formal complaints makes accomplishing such efficiencies a formidable task. In calendar year 2008, the Commission reached an all-time high with 807 formal citizen complaints. In calendar year 2009, the number of formal complaints reached 792, slightly less than the previous year, but left the commission with an average of almost 800 formal complaints a year. In 2009, staff resolved 543 or 68.5% of the 792 cases, without a hearing. The remaining 249, or 31%, either went to a hearing or are scheduled for a hearing.

While the number of complaints in 2008 and 2009 averaged close to 800, another upward trend appears to be underway. By September 1 of 2010, the Commission had received 547 new complaints, putting it on a pace to receive 822 complaints for the year, representing an increase of 30 or 5 percent from 2009. This would represent the highest total for one year, surpassing the all-time record of 807 in 2008. Prior to 2006, the highest number of complaints ever received by the Commission was 676 in 2000.

In other matters of interest, the Commission:

• Completed, with the support of the Connecticut Foundation for Open Government, a high school civics curriculum designed to incorporate Freedom of Information into Connecticut’s public schools’ civics classes. A professionally designed and printed curriculum booklet was prepared and mailed to every school district in the state. The Commission also continued to craft other facets of its community outreach program, including a special program for the Spanish-speaking community.
• Experienced a continued increase in requests for workshops for public officials and members of the public about the requirements of the FOIA. The Commission has provided an annual average of 74 workshops and speakers in the past five calendar years, including a projected 85-95 in calendar year 2010.

Reducing Waste

The Commission is committed to regular reviews of its current operating procedures aimed at reducing waste and increasing efficiency.

Strategic Planning

· hear and resolve cases in a timely fashion;

· settle contested cases informally through ombudsman program;

· defend the Commission through staff counsel in court appeals;

· conduct workshops, provide speakers, publish Commission reports and other literature;

· develop public policy positions with regard to issues of information accessibility, especially as they relate to such matters as emerging information technologies;

· render declaratory rulings of general applicability under the FOIA;

· expand and broaden community outreach program and

· refine and expand training program for advisory board members and liaisons.

Information Reported as Required by State Statute

The Commission is committed to equal employment opportunities for all.