Malloy (D-CT), The Supposed 'Transparency' Governor, Blasted As 'Foe Of FOI'

The Hartford Courant ^

[matt04]

Dannel P. Malloy came into office as governor two years ago saying he's committed to "open and transparent" government, but recent events have put that assertion in question.

"Transparent" and "transparency" are the words that leaders use these days to assure citizens that they'll be well informed about government operations and decision-making, and that they'll have ready access to government records.

...

But then came last Tuesday. That's when The Courant revealed that the staffs of Malloy and top state prosecutor Kevin Kane had been working secretly for weeks with legislative leaders to draft a bill to block public disclosure of some investigative records concerning the Dec. 14 Newtown massacre. Documents to be withheld include audio tapes of 911 emergency calls, which are routinely released by police departments throughout the country.

That's not something that "a transparency governor" should support, said Jim Smith, who spent 40 years as a newspaper reporter and editor and now heads the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information. Smith said it's only Malloy's latest affront to "transparency."

"He's no Ella Grasso," Smith said Thursday, referring to the governor who got the legislature to create the state Freedom of Information Commission in 1975, after the Watergate scandal. "Ella Grasso gave us the [FOI] commission and she was a true champion of the people's right to know. Dan Malloy is trying to tear apart the Freedom of Information Commission."

Smith said those are his own views, not the official stance of the council he heads. But other FOI advocates didn't disagree.

"I haven't seen any signs" that Malloy is especially "transparent," said Mitchell Pearlman, who retired in 2005 after three decades as the first director of the FOI Commission and now "reads the newspapers and follows these issues on a day-to-day basis."

[matt04]

From this article and other reports I have heard, if passes almost all Sandy Hook records, 911 calls, reports and even death certificates would be sealed unless the families allowed the sate to release it.

Why would they refuse to released a death certificate, which is a public record?

[USNBandit]

I wouldn’t want my kid’s death certificate released. Some illegal might use it to get a job.

[puppypusher]

Ojakian said the governor is responding, through the bill, to the pleas of Newtown families for privacy and the ability to grieve in peace.

As unfortunate as this incident was its a part of the history of the State of Connecticut and it should not be concealed from the citizens of the State of Connecticut.Espechially after the governor of the State used it as the Reason for abrogating the civil rights of its citizen.

By abrogating those rights I mean placing all sorts of obstacles in the way of people trying to use their Second Amendment Rights.

If the Dummy can read this He knows what I’m writing about.

[DTogo]

Ojakian said the governor is responding, through the bill, to the pleas of Newtown families for privacy and the ability to grieve in peace.

Pleas for privacy and the ability to grieve in peace... since when??

While flying on Air Force One to go testify before Congress, while confronting a New Hampshire Senator in her home state, while travelling to Rhode Island, New Jersey, or Chicago to "advocate" for new gun control laws??

[y6162]

Malloy is covering up the fact that “assault” weapons had nothing to do with the atrocity and his gun grab is based on lies.

[Standing Wolf]

What is Connecticut trying to hide?

[matt04]

Exactly. Once the families started being used/using the shooting to advAnce a politicial agenda, the grieving period was over. I consider them politicians now.

[School of Rational Thought]

Democrat governor - check
Corrupt - check
democrat culture of corruption - check