MFOIC Once Again Challenges Legislative Candidates to Support Open Government
The Maine Freedom of Information Coalition sent a letter to every candidate for the Maine Legislature in 2018 seeking a pledge of support for open government.
Now more than ever, freedom of speech, open meetings of government, and access to public records are fundamental to the practice – and the continued existence of – democracy. Mainers have a long history of open government with many towns still holding annual town meetings where open debate and discussion are celebrated.
In 1959, the Maine Legislature enacted a strong Freedom of Access law setting forth in its first sentences the high importance Mainers place on open government.
“The Legislature finds and declares that public proceedings exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business. It is the intent of the Legislature that their actions be taken openly and that the records of their actions be open to public inspection and their deliberations be conducted openly.”
It is as essential that we maintain that intent and demand its faithful practice today as it was in 1959.
Below is the text of the Open Government Pledge that MFOIC asked the 2018 Legislative Candidates if they were willing to sign, followed by a list of Candidates by district who informed MFOIC that they were willing to sign this Open Government Pledge.
“As a candidate for the Maine Legislature in 2018, I endorse the purpose of the Maine Freedom of Access Act to ensure and facilitate the public’s understanding of governmental processes and problems.
Therefore, I pledge to support the public policy of the State of Maine that the people have the inherent right to know and be fully informed about their government so that they can efficiently and intelligently exercise their political power.
Specifically, I pledge to uphold and protect the letter and the spirit of the Maine Freedom of Access Act.
I also pledge that I will actively oppose – and not participate in – any meetings to discuss legislative matters where the public is excluded contrary to the letter and spirit of the law.”
2018 Maine Senate Candidates who signed this pledge, by Senate District:
Senate District 4 Susan D. Mackey-Andrews
Senate District 7 Walter A. Kumiega
Senate District 7 Richard S. Malaby
Senate District 13 Laura A Fortman
Senate District 14 Shenna Bellows
Senate District 15 John Michael Glowa
Senate District 15 Kellie M. Julia
Senate District 16 Karen Kusiak
Senate District 17 Jan M Collins
Senate District 17 Gary T McGrane
Senate District 22 Lois E. Kilby-Chesley
Senate District 23 Eloise A. Vitelli
Senate District 23 Susan H. Wasserott
Senate District 24 Brownie Carson
Senate District 25 Catherine E. Breen
Senate District 27 Crystal R. Canney
Senate District 27 Benjamin Chipman
Senate District 28 Heather Sanborn
Senate District 29 Rebecca Millett
Senate District 32 Susan Deschambault
Senate District 33 John L. Tuttle
2018 Maine House Candidates who signed this pledge, by House District:
House District 1 Deane Rykerson
House District 2 Michele Meyer
House District 5 Charles A. Galemmo
House District 6 Jennifer Ellen Parker
House District 6 Tiffany Danielle Roberts-Lovell
House District 7 John W. Howarth
House District 8 Christopher W. Babbidge
House District 9 Roger A. Seavey
House District 11 Ryan Michael Fecteau
House District 12 Victoria Foley
House District 14 Donna Bailey
House District 15 Margaret M. O’Neil
House District 18 Anne-Marie Mastraccio
House District 20 Daniel J. Lauzon
House District 21 Clifford Terry Krolick
House District 21 Justin Lynn Reinhardt
House District 25 Jennie Butler
House District 30 Anne Carney
House District 32 Christopher J. Kessler
House District 35 Ann E. Peoples
House District 37 Richard R. Farnsworth
House District 47 Janice E. Cooper
House District 50 Michael J. Lawler
House District 50 Ralph L. Tucker
House District 51 Joyce E. McCreight
House District 52 Bil Weidner
House District 53 Allison Hepler
House District 54 Denise A. Tepler
House District 55 Seth A. Berry
House District 58 James R. Handy
House District 59 Margaret M. Craven
House District 61 Michael Lachance
House District 63 Brian Carrier
House District 64 Michael C. Travers
House District 66 Jessica Fay
House District 67 Anne B. Gass
House District 70 Warren E. Richardson
House District 71 H. Sawin Millett
House District 73 Robert F. Faunce
House District 74 Christina Riley
House District 75 John M. Nutting
House District 79 Timothy S. Theriault
House District 80 Stephen C. Ball
House District 82 Kent Ackley
House District 83 Thom A. Harnett
House District 84 Charlotte M. Warren
House District 91 Jeffrey Evangelos
House District 93 Pinny Beebe-Center
House District 94 Owen D. Casas
House District 94 Victoria W. Doudera
House District 101 Robin M. Downs
House District 105 John R. Clark
House District 109 Karen A. Rancourt-Thomas
House District 111 Katherine Wilder
House District 112 Thomas H. Skolfield
House District 119 Paul Andrew Stearns
House District 120 Richard A. Evans
House District 122 Michelle A. Dunphy
House District 128 Arthur C. Verow
House District 130 Michael L. Reynolds
House District 132 Nicole Christine Grohoski
House District 133 Sarah Arline Pebworth
House District 139 Lisa M. Hanscom
House District 141 Donald Martin Green
House District 142 Patricia A. Nobel
House District 143 Stephen S. Stanley