In today’s Portland Press Herald article about LD 1353, a bill that would hide public employees salary information, Democrat Senator Leadership speaks out against MaineOpenGov.org.
Elizabeth Mitchell (D) – Vassalboro, says that the website is an attempt to “harass and embarrass” government employees, while the bills sponsor, Lisa Marrache’ (D) – Waterville, says that “No one is trying to make Maine the most secretive government in the country,” even though no precedant for this type of legislation has been found.
The bill will have a public hearing on April 30, and will then be voted on by the judiciary committee, which happens to be the committee containing two cosponsors of the bill, Sen. Lawrence Bliss (D) – Cumberland, and Sen. Mark Bryant (D) – Windham.
*Update – Read the Kennebec Journals take on this bill
*Update number 2 – Very insightful article in the Village Soup, including many legislators weighing in on the bill