State Rep. Serving Southington Honored By FOI Organization

SOUTHINGTON/HARTFORD, CT — A GOP lawmaker serving Southington and Wolcott was honored last week by a state commission preaching open government.

State Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, R-Wolcott,was the recipient on June 12 of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information's Champion of Open Government Award.

Mastrofrancesco received the award during the Council's award banquet held at the Hartford Club.

She serves the 80th House District, which is comprised of Wolcott and part of Southington.

The Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information aims to preserve Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act and has advocated for transparency of government since 1955.

In its letter announcing the award, the Council highlighted Mastrofrancesco's role on the Government Administrations and Elections Committee.

According to a release, the council noted her work in the legislature defending the state's FOI law.

"I truly appreciate and am humbled to be recognized as a defender of maintaining an open and transparent government. Holding our government accountable through
the use of Freedom of Information is essential for our communities, our elections and our lives," said Mastrofrancesco.

"We should know as much as possible about what our state government is up to, and you can be sure, I will continue my fight on behalf of the public."

Mastrofrancesco said she is a "staunch advocate" for open government, pushing back
against efforts by lawmakers to shield information from the public and she argues for transparent
budget practices.

She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her third term in office.