What Are You Hiding This Time, Earl Ray?
WHAT ARE THEY HIDING?
Acting Governor, House Leaders Protecting Redistricting DocumentsStuart Says “If There Is Nothing To Hide, Turn Over The Documents”
WVGOP Heading To Court To Enforce FOIA Request
CHARLESTON, WV – On August 25th, the West Virginia Republican Party provided a Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request to Tomblin and House leaders. Tomblin signed the House redistricting bill into law on Friday, September 2nd, and the same day the FOIA request was rejected. Letters were issued by the Clerk of the State Senate and counsel to the House of Delegates claiming blanket immunity to the FOIA request and no documents whatsoever were provided.
“What are they hiding?" asked Mike Stuart, Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party. “Senate President Tomblin and Legislative Democrat leaders have chosen to improperly hide redistricting documents from the public to cover-up their conduct in the redistricting fiasco. Tomblin talks about transparency but he and his friends are now orchestrating a cover-up of essential documents to prevent the public from knowing the truth.”
“This may be a case of the cover-up being worse than the crime but we will not know until we can see the documents?” asked Stuart. “Complying with a FOIA request is not voluntary. Refusing to comply with a duly issued FOIA request is a serious matter. How high does this go? Who is ordering them not to turn over documents?”
“To protect the interests of the public, the West Virginia Republican party shall move forward with legal action to enforce the FOIA request,” said Stuart. “They work for us. The public has a right to see documents created on public computers, in public buildings, on public time. To allow elected officials to hide information from the taxpayers and voters who elected them would be offensive and chilling to our form of government.”
Stuart concluded, “I am urging Acting Governor Tomblin and House and Senate leaders in Charleston to do the right thing, turn over the documents, and allow a full and thorough review of the redistricting process. If deals were cut in the backrooms of the Capital, then sooner or later those responsible will be held accountable. I urge those involved to comply fully with the law.”
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Paid for by the WV Republican Party
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