LAS VEGAS (AP) — While the Nevada Legislature's lawyers are adamant that no lawmaker communications outside of final votes are public records available upon request, several lawmakers say the blackout is extreme and worth revisiting.
Their statements came after the legislature's lawyers rejected a request from The Associated Press for a week of emails and appointment calendars for four legislative leaders. The Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau's 28-page denial contrasts with responses from some lawmakers in other states who turned over emails and calendars at AP's request.
The bureau's lawyers say the principles that keep any communication made before final votes private aim to facilitate free and candid discussion about ideas.
Others say the public should be able to see whether lawmakers are behaving and how they are using public resources.