http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/easley_ordered_e_mails_be_kept Comments for "Easley ordered e-mails be kept" en http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/easley_ordered_e_mails_be_kept <!-- Begin check for Blog Icon --> <img src="/sites/projects.newsobserver.com/files/easleyhead_100.jpg" class="blog-icon" /> <!-- End check for Blog Icon --> <!-- Begin check for Teaser Toggle --> <div class="field-item"><p>Former Gov. <a href="/dome/profiles/mike_easley">Mike Easley</a> ordered the state to keep all e-mails.</p><p>In one of his last acts in office, Easley signed an executive order that requires state agencies to keep copies of e-mails for at least 10 years and prohibits state employees from deleting messages about state business for at least 24 hours. </p><p>It also advises executive branch employees that e-mails are subject to the public records law.</p><p>Charlotte Observer columnist Jack Betts <a href="http://jackbetts.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-one-of-his-last-acts-in-office-gov.html">noted</a> that Gov. <a href="/dome/profiles/beverly_perdue">Beverly Perdue</a> had planned to issue her own order, but Easley beat her to the punch.</p><p>On his blog, he notes that the order is double the number of years recommended by a panel after news <a href="/under_the_dome/state_workers_can_still_delete_e_mail">reports</a> that workers in his administration had deleted some e-mails, though he wonders whether it might allow workers to delete e-mails they decided were not about state business.</p><p>&quot;Another question: Why did Easley wait until the end of his administration to issue this order?&quot; Betts writes. &quot;Why not last summer, when it might have done his image some good? Or was he simply waiting until the last minute so his administration would not have to comply with it?&quot; </p></div> <div class="node-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="node-blog-teaser-comments"><a href="http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/easley_ordered_e_mails_be_kept#comment"><img src="http://www.newsobserver.com/images/front_new/icon_discussion.gif" width="11" height="7" border="0" /> Comments (0)</a> <!-- If permissions, display edit link at end of teaser --> <!-- End edit link code --> </div> </div> <!-- End check for Teaser Toggle --> <!-- BEGIN AUDIO ATTACHMENT CODE --> http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/easley_ordered_e_mails_be_kept#comment Beverly Perdue e-mail Jack Betts Mike Easley public records Under the Dome Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:19:48 -0500 ryanteaguebeckwith 11550 at http://projects.newsobserver.com