By Taylor Dobbs In the past few months, the Vermont Department of Corrections and its health care contractor have been sued twice for what plaintiffs say were systematic failures in the prison health care system during the last two years. But a state law prevents the release of quarterly audit reports that supposedly took a […]
By Steph Machado At least two heartbreaking deaths of toddlers occurred in Vermont recently and the state’s Department for Children and Families may have been able to prevent them. In one case, police said 2-year-old Dezirae Sheldon was murdered by her stepfather, just weeks after DCF and a judge allowed the child to return home. DCF […]
By Joe Choquette This past legislative session, lawmakers in Vermont passed a bill that they hope will improve the public’s ability to know what state and local governments are doing. But even as the bill headed to Gov. Peter Shumlin for signature, Secretary of State Jim Condos called out a local government body for voting […]
What fees are associated with requesting public documents? An agency may charge the “actual cost” for providing a copy of a public record. To determine “actual cost”, the secretary considers only: The cost of the paper or the electronic media onto which a public record is copied; A prorated amount for maintenance and replacement of […]
Vermont common law mandates that citizens have a right to inspect public records and to attend the meetings and proceedings of any government body. “Right to know” laws are codified in the open meetings law and open records law. To read the law in its entirety, click on the link below. You can also visit Frequently […]
By Hilary Niles Vermont’s annual Public Records Act legislative review (.pdf), now in its third year, may yield significant updates for all levels of government in 2014 — particularly in relation to open meetings. Depending on how they shape up through the legislative process, proposed amendments could strengthen access to public policymaking. Pending legislation (.pdf) includes […]
By Brent Curtis The Vermont Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the public’s right to access to the criminal and internal investigations of two Rutland police officers who viewed pornography on work computers. More than three years after the Rutland Herald’s initial request for the records was denied by the city, the court’s five justices on Oct. 11 unanimously […]
The following is an excerpt from a blog post originally published by the New England First Amendment Center. The center is a joint undertaking of the New England First Amendment Coalition and Northeastern University’s School of Journalism. By Dan Barrett When a state contracts out a government function to a private contractor, does the contractor become […]
By Mike Donoghue BURLINGTON, Vt. – The federal courts in Vermont have taken the first step toward easing restrictions on journalists carrying computers, iPhones and other electronic newsgathering tools past security checkpoints at federal buildings.The new rule, which took effect in mid-April, allows electronic devices in common areas outside a courtroom but still prohibits them from being used […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will recognize Maine Trust for Local News later this month with its annual Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award. Maine Trust for Local News — which includes publications such as the Sun Journal, Portland Press Herald and Kennebec Journal […]