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That lectern hasn't been seen at Sanders' public events, and the governor's office won't say where it is. A photo the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ran on the front page after Sanders' office allowed the paper to view it has been widely circulated. When The Associated Press asked to see the lectern, Sanders' office sent an official photo of it instead. Mike Huckabee, has offered lawmakers the testimony of a client he says has firsthand knowledge of the governor's office interfering with public records requests. That includes a governor's office employee in September adding the undated “to be reimbursed” note to the original June invoice.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, —, Washington —, Sanders, haven't, Jimmy Kimmel, Trump, we’re, ” Sanders, she's, “, Janine Parry, Matt Campbell, Campbell, ” Campbell, it's, Virginia Beckett, Tom Mars, Mike Huckabee, Biden, Bart Hester, ” Hester, ” Organizations: Republican, White House, The New York Times, Republican Party, Republican Party of Arkansas, Pentagon, University of Arkansas, Arkansas Democrat, Gazette, Associated Press, GOP, Beckett, Democrats, State Police, Gov, New, PAC Locations: Arkansas, Washington, Virginia

(AP) — Arkansas lawmakers voted Wednesday to shield travel and security records for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ administration, a day after ditching a more far-reaching proposal that critics said would weaken government transparency. Sanders and Republican legislators on Tuesday backed off a broader plan that would have closed off access to other records, including any “reflecting communications” between the governor's office and her cabinet secretaries. I want to be able to see the documents,” Joey McCutchen, a Fort Smith attorney who has specialized in public records cases, told lawmakers. Sanders is seeking the limits as State Police is being sued by an attorney and blogger who has accused the agency of illegally withholding records about the governor’s travel and security.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, ” Joey McCutchen, “, Scott Gray, she's, Donald Trump's, Sen, Clarke Tucker, It's, ” Tucker, Nicole Clowney, Lawmakers, Bart Hester, he’s, Hester Organizations: —, Gov, Republican Senate, State Police, Tuesday, Fort, The Arkansas Press Association, Saline County Republican, Democratic Locations: — Arkansas, Fort Smith, Saline County, Pulaski County, Arkansans

Republican lawmakers filed legislation exempting release of the travel and security records after an outcry over a proposal to significantly scale back the state's Freedom of Information Act. Sanders is seeking the limits as State Police is being sued by an attorney and blogger who has accused the agency of illegally withholding records about the governor's travel and security. The newest bill also removes proposals facing opposition that would have created an attorney-client privilege exemption for state records and a change in how attorneys' fees are awarded in open records lawsuits. The legislation filed Tuesday would require State Police to file quarterly reports that identifies by month and budget category expenses for the governor’s security. It would also make the exemptions on the governor's security retroactive to June 1, 2022.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, Bart Hester, Donald Trump’s, Democratic Sen, Clarke Tucker, “, ” Tucker, Robert Steinbuch, William H, ” Steinbuch, ” Organizations: —, GOP, Republican, Senate Republicans, State Police, Democratic, University of Arkansas, Bowen School of, Arkansas Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Press Association, Arkansas Broadcasters Association, Republican Party Locations: — Arkansas, Arkansas, Little

The plan to restrict records has prompted an outcry from press groups, transparency advocates, Democrats and some conservatives who said it undermines the state’s 1967 law that protects the public’s access to government records. Opponents have also questioned the need for quickly pushing for the legislation in a special session. The bill would close off access to records that are at the center of a lawsuit an attorney and blogger has filed against the Arkansas State Police. David Couch, an attorney who has authored successful ballot initiatives on medical marijuana and the minimum wage, said earlier Monday he was working on a referendum effort on the FOI changes if they become law. A Senate committee on Monday endorsed the tax cut legislation, which calls for cutting the top individual and corporate income tax rates by .3%.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, “ We've, Bart Hester, Hester, “, ”, Joey McCutchen, she's, Donald Trump's, “ We’re, Matt Campbell, David Couch, I've, Couch Organizations: —, Senate, Fort, State Police, Republicans, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Republican Party, Prosperity Locations: — Arkansas, Fort Smith, Arkansas

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