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Vermont Lawsuit Spotlights Privatization Versus Access

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A lawsuit by a Brattleboro publisher and the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont is raising a question about what happens to the idea of access to public records when government services are privatized.

Prison Legal News of Brattleboro says it's been stymied in its efforts to get information about settlements of suits brought by inmates against the Corrections Corporation of America.

That private company is doing Vermont state business by housing inmates from Vermont at its prison in Kentucky.

Representative Donna Sweaney (SWAY'- knee), chairwoman of the House Government Operations Committee, says she expects a special review of Vermont's public records law will include asking what happens to public information when private companies take over government services.

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