CPS Accountability Movement

Matt Dunlap’s Warning: “Often, You Only Know What You Are Told”

In his February 12, 2025 testimony supporting LD 127, Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap used a powerful historical example to demonstrate why independent oversight matters. By contrasting an 1881 report praising the State Reform School with an investigation uncovering troubling conditions experienced by children, Dunlap reminded lawmakers that transparency and accountability are essential because, as he stated, "Often, you only know what you are told."...

Matt Dunlap’s Warning: “Often, You Only Know What You Are Told” In his February 12, 2025 testimony supporting LD 127, Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap used a powerful historical example to demonstrate why independent oversight matters. By contrasting an 1881 rep…

Can one citizen's voice make a difference?

For years I've spoken about transparency, accountability, due process, and the need for government oversight.

When LD 2150 was introduced, I publicly opposed it and submitted testimony to the Maine Legislature.

What happened next surprised me.

The bill was amended.

The focus shifted.

The title changed.

And many of the concerns raised throughout the public process ultimately became central themes in the final law.

Can I prove my testimony caused those changes?

No.

But I can prove something else:

Citizen participation matters.

Public testimony matters.

Government accountability matters.

This article follows the complete journey and includes links to every public record so you can review the evidence and draw your own conclusions.

Read the article:

Truth.
Transparency.
Accountability.

That's what this movement has always been about.

LD 2150: How Public Testimony Helped Shape a Maine Law Ryan Michaels shares how citizen participation, public testimony, and legislative amendments transformed LD 2150 into a Maine law focused on accountability.

When “Public Participation” Isn’t Truly Public in Berwick

A Berwick resident’s attempt to participate in a public budget discussion raises broader questions about accessibility, virtual participation, transparency, and whether meaningful civic engagement is truly being encouraged in local government....

When “Public Participation” Isn’t Truly Public in Berwick A Berwick resident’s attempt to participate in a public budget discussion raises broader questions about accessibility, virtual participation, transparency, and whether meaningful civic engagement …

A Quiet Moment Inside Maine’s Government Oversight Committee Raises Bigger Questions About Transparency and Independent Journalism

After being stopped from livestreaming a public Maine Government Oversight Committee meeting while traditional media cameras were allowed to continue recording, independent journalist and advocate Ryan Michaels began asking larger questions about transparency, equal access, and who gets to document government in the modern media era....

A Quiet Moment Inside Maine’s Government Oversight Committee Raises Bigger Questions About Transparency and Independent Journalism After being stopped from livestreaming a public Maine Government Oversight Committee meeting while traditional media cameras were allowed to continue recording, independent journalist and advocate …