Danbury Senator McLachlan Calls For Transparency On UConn Budget

DANBURY, Conn. — Citing a Freedom of Information Commission finding that University of Connecticut trustees violated open-meetings laws when they met behind closed doors to review the school’s $1.3 billion budget, state Sen. Michael McLachlan pledged to press for greater transparency in the college's budgeting process.

Sen. Michael McLachlan said he plans to push for legislation to require UConn to perform its budget deliberations in public following a finding that the college trustees violated open-meetings laws when they met behind closed doors.
Photo Credit: *Office of Sen. Michael McLachlan*

K Reakes

01/29/2016 6:00 p.m.

McLachlan, who represents the 24th District of Bethel, Danbury, New Fairfield and Sherman, said he will introduce legislation next month to require UConn to perform its budget deliberations in public.

“Let’s put a stop to the secrecy and shine a light on UConn’s budget process,” McLachlan said. “We are talking about more than a billion dollars in taxpayer money, and these major budget decisions are being made in private? This is why taxpayers distrust government.

"I’ll work with Democrats, Republicans and open government advocates to bring about the transparency we deserve.”

McLachlan added that he will also submit a bill to forbid the UConn Foundation from awarding speaking fees or any monetary payments to declared political candidates.

The Connecticut General Assembly’s legislative session begins Feb. 3. McLachlan is the ranking Republican on the state legislature’s Government Administration and Elections Committee.

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