Matthew Streeter’s career in public service spans nearly four decades, with a deep commitment to ensuring transparency in government. Having served as a town manager, public administrator and as a commissioner on Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Commission, Streeter has understands the evolving relationship between government and the public.
Interview by Brandon Cortés, SCSU JRN ‘25. Answers have been condensed and edited.
What initially motivated you to pursue a career in public service?
I was motivated because I was raised in a political family. My father was involved in politics, so at a young age, I was learning about how government worked and seeing it firsthand. At a young age, I got involved in politics.
When I was still in high school, I was appointed to the South Windsor Board of Education as a student representative. When I turned 18, I was first elected, and I was elected for 21 years in various positions, including six terms on the South Windsor Town Council, two as town mayor.
I went back to get my master’s in public administration, became a town manager, and a town administrator in Massachusetts. So I’ve been doing that for almost 40 years. In 2012, I was appointed to the Freedom of Information Commission.
How have your experiences as a town manager influenced your approach to handling public information?
I always realized that government is of the people, and that information should be accessible to the public. When I first got involved, I was probably one of those people who said every document should be public with no exemptions.
But there are certain things that you realize why there are exemptions. And sometimes it’s good to have exemptions. When you’re negotiating contracts, for example, you have documents that are not final.
I take my role seriously and don’t always align with other commissioners. We have to weigh evidence and follow the law, and I’ve become more open to disclosure over time. I now believe it’s better to err on the side of transparency if there’s no harm in releasing a document, as public documents stay public once released.
What are some of the most common exceptions to disclosure in FOI cases?
The most common exceptions involve attorney-client privilege or witness statements, especially if someone incarcerated requests their file. Some information, like investigative techniques or witness statements, might be too sensitive for public release.
The expansion of technology, like body cam footage and text records on public phones, has also added complexity. The legislature carefully considers any new exemptions, typically adding only a few each year.
What are some of the most interesting or challenging cases you’ve seen?
I’ve handled about 100 cases as a hearing officer, and each one is unique. There was a case involving the University of Connecticut and Webster Bank, which was considered a trade secret. The Sandy Hook cases were challenging due to privacy concerns. Each meeting often brings a fascinating case, but these stand out as both rewarding and complex.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges FOI commissioners face today?
Technology is advancing fast. We now have public records like police body cam footage, school cameras with FERPA considerations, and public officials’ text messages. Public document retention, especially in digital form, is increasingly complex.
How would you describe the importance of Freedom of Information laws?
FOI reinforces trust by providing transparency into government activities, as long as the information is public.
