AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s likes to fire off missives in the form of handwritten notes, but those will remain personal unless they’re shared by recipients.
The Maine Sunday Telegram formally requested a copy of all of the governor’s handwritten notes. Ten months later, the governor’s office provided copies of just three notes.
The governor’s office contends the governor’s notes sent to lawmakers and citizens are personal and not public documents that must be saved and accessible to the public.
But State Archivist David Cheever and Maine Attorney General Janet Mills say notes that discuss state policy or government business should be retained under Maine’s Freedom of Access Act. Cheever said he has advised LePage’s staff to keep copies of the notes, but he can’t legally require it.
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