It has been quite a time for state governors and their email. Outgoing Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt settled a costly lawsuit last month that accused the governor of breaking the law by denying the public access to email messages. Outgoing North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley signed an executive order declaring that email messages are just like other public records and should be saved after fighting email requests for months.
Yesterday, a New Jersey appeals court overturned a lower court ruling and blocked access to emails between New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine and his labor-leader ex-girlfriend, Carla Katz. Of course, this will probably be appealed yet again to the state Supreme Court.
The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by the state Republican chairman, who questioned whether the e-mails tainted state worker contract talks. Corzine contends the emails can stay private under executive privileges. The judges agreed, saying he "properly asserted executive privilege and plaintiff did not articulate or identify a sufficient reason to overcome the privilege." (Court ruling text.)
The expected appeal appeals are possible, potentially setting up a politically explosive showdown before the Supreme Court as Corzine runs for re-election this year. The court's ultimate findings on executive privilege -- the doctrine made famous by President Richard Nixon that allows chief executives to keep certain communications with advisers private -- also could shape the communications of future governors and the public's right to evaluate them. (NJ.com)
Subscribe by Email
