Speaker's Statement

October 15, 2008

Statement by Speaker Symington Regarding Public Records Request

I have fully complied with Mr. Hier's requests for legislative and personal emails regarding Act 82 and education finance.

Legislative Cousel has advised that legislators' emails are not subject to the Public Records Act. Even so, because I am a candidate for Governor and will not be a member of the legislature in January, I have decided to disclose any relevant documents in my possession. I don't want this issue to be a distraction from the issues of this campaign. This request is clearly politically motivated.

Mr. Hier has questioned the IT policy of deleting emails after 90 days. This policy was instituted under Speaker Walt Freed's leadership in 2001 after capacity issues jeopardized the statehouse computer system. The policy will likely be revisited in the coming legislative session.

I have notified Mr. Hier on three separate occasions that I have hard copies of correspondence between myself and constituents regarding Act 82 and other education finance legislation and have made them available even though legislative counsel advises me that they are not subject to the Public Records Act. To this date, Mr. Hier has declined my offer to review these materials.

emailed by Alexandra MacLean
Assistant to the Speaker
Office: 802-828-2245
Fax: 802-828-2220
115 State St, Drawer 33
Montpelier, VT 05633
amaclean@leg.state.vt.us