Editorial: More secrecy!?
Apr. 23, 2006In a recent 5-2 decision, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that Gov. Taft is entitled to cite executive privilege in concealing the inner workings of his office from the public. Unheard of in Ohio's 203-year history, the ruling bestows upon Taft and future governors a privilege typically associated with the U.S. president. This decision marks a damaging step backward for Ohio's open records policies by placing the governor's desire for secrecy above the public's right to know. It could also provide a smokescreen to possible corruption in Ohio government, obscuring any hope for reform. The state's high court made a mistake in this ruling and ultimately committed an injustice against all Ohioans.
