FILE - In this March 23, 2019 file photo, Bridgewater Associates Chairman Ray Dalio speaks during the Economic Summit held for the China Development F...
FILE - In this March 23, 2019 file photo, Bridgewater Associates Chairman Ray Dalio speaks during the Economic Summit held for the China Development Forum in Beijing, China. The donation by Dalio and his wife Barbara, of Greenwich, Conn., to the state of Connecticut is raising concerns about the transparency of the philanthropic gesture. So excited by the gift of $100 million for public education from the couple, Connecticut officials agreed to add $100 million in taxpayer money and create a nonprofit that won't be subject to the state's open records laws or ethics rules. Open government experts question how the public will know how their money is being spent. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Open government advocates and experts on philanthropic donations are questioning the decision to exempt a new partnership between the state of Connecticut and a private foundation from the state's open records laws.
Excited about a pledge of $100 million for public education from Barbara and Ray Dalio, founder of the world's largest hedge fund, state officials agreed to add $100 million in taxpayer money. Lawmakers say, at the request of the wealthy couple's foundation, they agreed the new Partnership for Connecticut Inc. will be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act and state ethics rules.
Republican Rep. Vincent Candelora says transparency is mandated when tax dollars are involved.
Barbara Dalio understands the concerns but says the arrangement allows people to speak freely and act nimbly.
