Chris Cerf Will Tell You What He Thinks You Need To Know!
If you blink, you'll miss it:
The entity that handles appeals of rejected requests for public information meets once a month in a first-floor office in Trenton. Windows offer a view of an atrium outside, but it's difficult — literally and otherwise — to look from the outside in.
Called the Government Records Council, this agency adjudicates appeals from all levels of New Jersey government, from your school board on up to Christie's office. I reviewed its records, excluded obviously frivolous complaints, and found that under Christie, the GRC has ruled on 44 cases involving state departments.
Wha, huh, wha!? The ACTING education commissioner - yes, he is unconfirmed - is determining whether or notAnd all 44 times, the GRC sided with the Christie administration.
The GRC is supposed to have five members appointed by the governor, but Christie has left it with three for most of his term. There are now four, including a Christie campaign donor, Christie's education commissioner, and Christie's community affairs commissioner. [emphasis mine]