Gov. Walz’s Vanishing Texts Scandal: Minnesota Governor’s Digital Disappearing Act!
Governor Tim Walz’s mysterious missing texts during crucial bill negotiations spark a firestorm of transparency concerns! 🔥 #News #Minnesota #Politics
Gov. Tim Walz’s Mystery Texts: What Really Happened?
ST. PAUL, MN – In the final countdown to the legislative session’s May 20 adjournment, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s phone buzzed with activity. He told reporters he was up past midnight on May 16, navigating the high-stakes negotiations over a multi-billion dollar infrastructure bill.
But here’s the twist: when Axios requested those texts using Minnesota’s public records laws, the governor’s office claimed there were none.
The Slip-Up
The DFL governor’s office later suggested Walz might have misspoken. This hiccup, however, ignited a firestorm of questions about transparency and compliance with public records laws.
Axios used the state Data Practices Act to request all written communications related to the negotiations in the six-hour window around midnight on May 15.
The Reveal
The governor’s office handed over 31 pages of emails. These included news recaps, a request to fund wastewater plants, and a high-level summary of votes and constituent emails.
Yet, there were no texts or substantial emails about the bill, Walz’s top legislative priority, during those critical hours.
Behind the Scenes
Press Secretary Claire Lancaster told Axios reporters that the communication likely happened over the phone. She emphasized that Walz’s texts are routinely searched for responsive material and that the administration has provided tens of thousands of pages of data over the past year.
Past Controversies
This isn’t the first time Gov. Walz has faced scrutiny over his office’s transparency. The nonprofit Public Record Media (PRM) has repeatedly criticized the administration’s handling of public records requests.
In 2022, the administration stated that the governor’s decisions are primarily made in meetings with advisors.
Additionally, in 2019, Walz reversed a campaign promise to release his daily calendars, citing an advisory opinion that classified these records as private.
The Bigger Picture
The administration’s records retention schedule doesn’t specify how long phone text messages should be kept. PRM’s Matt Ehling believes this could mean texts are deleted at will unless requested.
Lancaster clarified that decisions are based on the content, not the device, and insisted that no messages were deleted or exempt in this instance.
The Bottom Line
A strategy that leaves no digital paper trail raises serious concerns. It deprives the public of a documented record of the governor’s decisions on crucial issues. Critics argue that the administration hasn’t been as transparent as it should be.
Stay tuned to JackAndKitty.com as this story unfolds. Read the Axios article here.
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