Mississippi Today newspaper: on Government Reform

Jim Hood: Apply "Open Records Act" to state legislative email

Emails and others correspondence reveal that numerous key legislators all were receiving updates on how the PERS Board of Trustees might change its regulations to adhere to the AG's opinion.

Hood said the emails prove that the law should be changed so that legislators are not exempt from the public records law. "These communications clearly show why legislators should be subject to the Open Records Act like all other state and local elected officials," he said. "They should have to list those with whom they meet on legislation or who wines and dines them."

Tate Reeves: Emails with PERS revealed by public records request

Emails and others correspondence reveal that numerous key Republican legislators, including Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, were receiving updates on how the PERS Board of Trustees might change its regulations to adhere to the AG's opinion. Hood said, "They should have to list those with whom they meet on legislation or who wines & dines them."

When asked about Reeves' involvement, a spokesperson said, "The PERS board is working on regulations that adhere to federal law & maintain the health of the plan, and Lt. Gov. Reeves looks forward to seeing what they produce."