Court: Executive Privilege Applies To OK Gov’s Internal Policy Discussions
Oklahoma Supreme Court: Governor can withhold details from public
Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — The state’s highest court says Oklahoma governors have a privilege to protect confidential advice from top officials while deliberating policy and making executive decisions.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court said in a ruling released Tuesday the governor has a unique executive privilege that can’t be encroached by the Legislature.
The decision was handed down Tuesday in a case filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma on behalf of the owners of a satirical website that pokes fun at Gov. Mary Fallin and other public officials.
The Lost Ogle website joined several news organizations, including The Associated Press, in a request for documents from the governor’s office about some of her health care-related decisions.