Topics

Posted 9/14/2023, 10:54:00 PM

Arkansas Governor Signs Law Restricting Release of Travel and Security Records

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law restricting release of her travel and security records after the Legislature wrapped up a special session.
The law allows the state to withhold details about security for the governor and other officials, including use of the State Police airplane.
Sanders initially sought broader exemptions from the Freedom of Information Act but backed off after criticism about transparency.
Sanders said the law is needed to protect her and her family from threats. A blogger sued over records being withheld but dismissed the case.
Sanders signed other measures including income tax cuts, a one-time tax credit for low earners, and a ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

apnews.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/12/2023

Arkansas Gov. Sanders pushes public records overhaul amid lawsuit over travel, draws transparency concerns and DeSantis comparisons.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders faces criticism and a pending lawsuit for proposing changes to the state's public records law, with opponents arguing that the revisions would limit transparency and accountability in the government.

9/13/2023

Arkansas Lawmakers Approve Narrower Bill to Shield Some Governor Records

The majority-Republican Senate in Arkansas voted to shield travel and security records for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, raising concerns about government transparency despite narrowing the focus to the security exemption.

9/14/2023

Arkansas Governor's Attempt to Overhaul Transparency Law Scaled Back After Public Pushback

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders faced resistance and pushback from conservatives and even her own supporters when she tried to restrict public access to government records under the state's Freedom of Information Act.

9/15/2023

Arkansas Governor Signs Law Shielding Official Travel Details from Public Records

The taxpayer-funded travel of Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is now exempt from public records, raising concerns about government transparency and accountability.

10/2/2023

Whistleblower Accuses Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Unethical Spending, FOIA Violations as Arkansas Governor

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is accused by an anonymous whistleblower's lawyer of altering and withholding public records related to her office's spending, prompting a request for a legislative audit.

10/10/2023

Arkansas Governor's $19,000 Custom Lectern Purchase Sparks Controversy

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing controversy after spending $19,029.25 on a lectern, which has prompted calls for a legislative audit to investigate the purchase.

10/10/2023

Governor Sanders faces backlash over $19,000 lectern purchase

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing scrutiny and accusations of altering records to cover up the purchase of a $19,000 lectern for her office.

10/10/2023

New records reveal reimbursement note added later to $19K lectern invoice; audit vote expected

New public records raise questions about when Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office intended to use Republican Party funds to reimburse the state for a $19,000 lectern purchased with a government credit card.

10/12/2023

Sanders Faces Scrutiny Over $19,000 Lectern Purchased by Her Office

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing scrutiny and calls for an audit after her office purchased a $19,000 lectern with a government credit card, prompting accusations of a cover-up and illegal withholding of documents.

Topics

Posted 9/14/2023, 10:54:00 PM

Arkansas Governor Signs Law Restricting Release of Travel and Security Records

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law restricting release of her travel and security records after the Legislature wrapped up a special session.
The law allows the state to withhold details about security for the governor and other officials, including use of the State Police airplane.
Sanders initially sought broader exemptions from the Freedom of Information Act but backed off after criticism about transparency.
Sanders said the law is needed to protect her and her family from threats. A blogger sued over records being withheld but dismissed the case.
Sanders signed other measures including income tax cuts, a one-time tax credit for low earners, and a ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

apnews.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/12/2023

Arkansas Gov. Sanders pushes public records overhaul amid lawsuit over travel, draws transparency concerns and DeSantis comparisons.

9/13/2023

Arkansas Lawmakers Approve Narrower Bill to Shield Some Governor Records

9/14/2023

Arkansas Governor's Attempt to Overhaul Transparency Law Scaled Back After Public Pushback

9/15/2023

Arkansas Governor Signs Law Shielding Official Travel Details from Public Records

The taxpayer-funded travel of Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is now exempt from public records, raising concerns about government transparency and accountability.

10/2/2023

Whistleblower Accuses Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Unethical Spending, FOIA Violations as Arkansas Governor

10/10/2023

Arkansas Governor's $19,000 Custom Lectern Purchase Sparks Controversy

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing controversy after spending $19,029.25 on a lectern, which has prompted calls for a legislative audit to investigate the purchase.

10/10/2023

Governor Sanders faces backlash over $19,000 lectern purchase

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing scrutiny and accusations of altering records to cover up the purchase of a $19,000 lectern for her office.

10/10/2023

New records reveal reimbursement note added later to $19K lectern invoice; audit vote expected

10/12/2023

Sanders Faces Scrutiny Over $19,000 Lectern Purchased by Her Office