ACLU and NRCM Urge Passage of Bill To Increase Government Transparency

AUGUSTA - The ACLU of Maine and the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) today urged the Transportation Committee to support a bill to protect the public&rsquo;s right to know about transportation projects, such as the East-West highway and corridor, which are proposed as public-private partnerships. Under current law, materials used or submitted in connection with a proposal for a public-private partnership transportation project are kept secret. LD 721, &ldquo;An Act To Provide Transparency in Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Projects,&rdquo; would make those materials public records. LD 721 is sponsored by Rep. Jeff McCabe (D-Showhegan).<br />
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&ldquo;Decisions about who the government enters into partnership with and how they spend our taxpayer money are certainly matters of public importance,&rdquo; said Shenna Bellows, executive director of the ACLU of Maine. &ldquo;The public&rsquo;s right to know is essential to democracy, and it is the only way we can hold our government accountable. Too much secrecy paves the way for bad decisions.&rdquo;<br />
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Of particular interest, the bill would give the public access to any records and plans concerning the proposed East-West highway project, which would involve both private and public funding.<br />
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&ldquo;A public-private project like the proposed East-West highway and corridor could harm our rivers, streams, and wildlife; our conserved, rural and forested lands; and our communities,&rdquo; says Lisa Pohlmann, executive director of NRCM. &ldquo;It would also cost Maine taxpayers a bundle if the private partner goes bankrupt. Given these potential serious impacts, information about the proposed project should not be kept secret; the public has a right to know.&rdquo;<br />
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The text of the bill and more information is available <a href="http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?PID=1456&snum... target="_blank">here</a>.