WOTC database 08/04/21 (Department Of Labor)
It is a clone of this request.
| Tracking # |
NA |
| Multi Request | WOTC database 08/04/21 |
| Submitted | Aug. 4, 2021 |
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Communications
From: Emily Corwin
Attention: Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Unit
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act, I hereby request the following records:
1) All reports regarding Work Opportunity Tax Credits certified in 2019 and 2020 provided to the US Department of Labor, including forms 9058.
2) Any database tracking Work Opportunity Tax Credit certifications which is created or maintained by your department or by any third party vendor under contract with your department, preferably in .csv or .xlsx format. If it is easier, the database can be limited to the calendar or fiscal years ending in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
3) The most recent of any contracts with third party vendors to track WOTC certifications.
My goal is to ascertain which businesses and industries are applying for and/or receiving Work Opportunity Tax Credits, for which categories of employees and which occupations. If a conversation could help narrow or expedite the completion of this request, I am available at 802 233 4992 and emily_corwin@harvard.edu.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by 1 M.R.S.A. § 408(6). The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Emily Corwin
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 4, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department Of Labor
Good day,
The attached document acknowledges receipt of the FOAA request.
Thank you for your interest.
Sincerely,
Ken
From: Department Of Labor
Please see correction in RED
Sincerely,
Ken
From: Department Of Labor
Good day,
Your assistance is requested in reference to four duplicate FOAA requests sent by Emily Corwin (Harvard University) through Muck Rock News.
The first two requests were dated 05 August 2021.
The third request was dated 06 August 2021.
This most current request (the fourth request), forwarded 23 August 2021, is also dated 06 August 2021.
All of these requests were submitted through Muck Rock News by Emily Corwin at Harvard University.
MDOL submitted and uploaded an 'Acknowledge Receipt Letter' (ARL) onto the Muck Rock News site, per the instructions in the FOAA requests, on Monday, 16 August 2021.
The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) received two "FOAA follow-up" letters, 23 August 2021, (and dated 11 August 2021) that appear to be related to the four duplicate FOAA requests.
The two follow-up letters reference FOAA requests dated 04 August 2021.
FOAA requests from Muck Rock, or Emily Corwin, were dated 04 August 2021.
Your assistance in clarifying this matter is appreciated.
MDOL intends to continue to address these four duplicate FOAA requests as a single FOAA request.
Regards,
Ken
Ken Boykin
Information Security Manager and FOAA Officer
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Labor
State of Maine
54 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04330-0054
L.Ken.Boykin@maine.gov
Confidentiality Notice:
This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information.
Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited.
If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy / delete all copies of the original message.
From: Emily Corwin
Hi Ken,
My sincere apologies for the many duplicates. This was the result of a technical glitch at Muckrock. On my end, I can see that two duplicate requests were opened (initially I think each one sent two notifications to you). I have closed the other one, and am leaving this one open. I believe this should resolve the excessive notifications. Let me know if you need anything else.
Many thanks for reaching out to let me know.
Emily
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 4, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #NA.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department Of Labor
Good day,
To clarify the status of the 05 August 2021 FOAA request; the request remains in-process.
At this time, there is no additional information to share regarding the progress of
identifying, collecting and reviewing the responsive data associated with the FOAA
request. Nor, is there any new information to share regarding the cost, or the 'Level Of Effort'
necessary to satisfy the FOAA request.
As a reminder, an agency is not required to set aside its regular activities in order to respond to a FOAA request. 1 M.R.S. § 408-A(5).
Regards,
Ken
Ken Boykin
Information Security Manager and FOAA Officer
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Labor
State of Maine
54 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04330-0054
L.Ken.Boykin@maine.gov
Confidentiality Notice:
This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information.
Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited.
If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy / delete all copies of the original message.
From: Department Of Labor
Good day,
Please see attached final memorandum and responsive data.
This request is considered CLOSED.
Thank you for your interest.
Sincerely,
Ken
Ken Boykin
Information Security Manager and FOAA Officer
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Labor
State of Maine
54 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04330-0054
L.Ken.Boykin@maine.gov
Confidentiality Notice:
This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information.
Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited.
If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy / delete all copies of the original message.
From: Emily Corwin
Hi Ken,
Thank you for this response. I wonder if there has been a misunderstanding about item #2 on my request. Your denial is based on the confidentiality of tax return information. I am seeking data which originates on ETA forms 9061 and 9062, which are Department of Labor forms, not IRS forms. I am not seeking any information contained on IRS form 8850.
A number of other states have provided me with a row for each certification sought between 2018 and 2020, containing only the following fields. This has satisfied my request.
Business name | Employee Target Group | Starting Wage | Job Position | Date Received | Approved/Denied
I will attach an example from one of the states that has satisfied this request, in case it is helpful.
Given this clarification, please let me know if the state will continue to deny my request, and cite the law exempting disclosure. If I can be of assistance in any way, please let me know. I can be reached at 802 233 4992.
Many thanks,
Emily
-
Copy_of_MuckRock-APRA-20210820.xlsx
From: Emily Corwin
Hello,
I just wanted to check in on this follow up. Can you confirm receipt?
Many thanks,
Emily
From: Department Of Labor
Hi Emily,
Yes, the department is in receipt of your clarification and I conveyed the information to the appropriate persons.
Sincerely,
Ken
Ken Boykin
Information Security Manager and FOAA Officer
Department of Labor
State of Maine
-
~WRD0001
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 4, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #NA.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department Of Labor
No new information to share …
As a reminder, a state agency is not required to set aside its regular activities to respond to a FOAA request, nor is an agency required to create records that do not exist (1 M.R.S. §408-A sub-§5 and sub-§6). Also, many of the documents requested, if they exist, may be confidential. Records that are subject to a privilege, designated as confidential by statute, or otherwise exempt from the definition of “public records” are not subject to disclosure under FOAA. The Department requires a reasonable period to ascertain, as an initial matter, whether any requested documents exist, and to ascertain which of its records, or parts thereof, relate to your request, identify which records are subject to public access, and determine which records, or portions thereof, are confidential, otherwise protected from disclosure, or otherwise outside the scope of FOAA. It may take the Department several weeks to complete an initial review sufficient to provide you with an initial estimate of responding to your request.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 4, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #NA.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department Of Labor
To the extent the Department has public records responsive and releasable for your request, the Department will produce them within a reasonable time. Please note, a state agency is not required to set aside its regular activities to respond to a FOAA request, nor is an agency required to create records that do not exist (1 M.R.S. §408-A sub-§5 and sub-§6). Also, many of the documents requested, if they exist, may be confidential. Records that are subject to a privilege, designated as confidential by statute, or otherwise exempt from the definition of “public records” are not subject to disclosure under FOAA. The Department requires a reasonable period to ascertain, as an initial matter, whether any requested documents exist, and to ascertain which of its records, or parts thereof, relate to your request, identify which records are subject to public access, and determine which records, or portions thereof, are confidential, otherwise protected from disclosure, or otherwise outside the scope of FOAA. It may take the Department several weeks to complete an initial review sufficient to provide you with an initial estimate of responding to your request. Depending on the volume of the requested documents, review and redaction may take considerably more time, and that may change any initial estimate.
Sincerely,
Ken
Ken Boykin
Information Security Manager and FOAA Officer
Department of Labor
State of Maine
Now is the time to take humor seriously and seriousness humorously.
-
~WRD0000
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 4, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #NA.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department Of Labor
Good morning,
At this time, nothing new to share regarding additional clarification of initial request.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ken
Ken Boykin
Information Security Manager and FOAA Officer
Department of Labor
State of Maine
Now is the time to take humor seriously and seriousness humorously.
-
~WRD0000
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 4, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #NA.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 6, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #NA.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 6, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #NA.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department Of Labor
Good day,
The final responsive data is attached.
This FOAA request is considered closed.
Thank you for our interest.
Regards,
Ken
Ken Boykin
Information Security Manager and FOAA Officer
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Labor
State of Maine
54 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04330-0054
L.Ken.Boykin@maine.gov
Confidentiality Notice:
This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information.
Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited.
If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy / delete all copies of the original message.
From: Emily Corwin
Hi Ken,
Thanks so much for this!
I have a few questions. Feel free to call me if that is easier.
For background, I requested the following fields:
Business name | Employee Target Group | Starting Wage | Job Position | Date Received | Approved/Denied
The fields I received are as follows:
Business (Employer) Name | Employee Target Group | Postmark Date | Status (submitted/response provided)
My questions are as follows:
1. Are the starting wage and job position fields unavailable, exempt from disclosure, or accidentally omitted?
2. Can you explain to me the meaning of "submitted" vs. "response provided" in the status field? Can these be interpreted as meaning eligibility was verified or not/approved or denied?
3. I know applicants often check off multiple target groups. Can you confirm how the target group is selected for this field, when multiple have been listed in the application?
Many thanks!
Emily
From: Emily Corwin
Hi Ken - I should also have given you my phone number. It is: 802 233 4992.
Cheers,
Emily
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