Groups sue Fallin over open records requests

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An Oklahoma newspaper and a nursing home reform group are suing Gov. Mary Fallin’s office, claiming the governor is taking too long to respond to requests for documents under the state’s Open Records Act.

The Oklahoma Observer newspaper and the advocacy group A Perfect Cause filed a lawsuit Monday in Oklahoma County District Court.

Both groups submitted formal requests for records to the governor’s office in 2014 and have yet to receive copies of the documents they are seeking.

The Oklahoma Open Records Act requires public bodies like the governor’s office to provide "prompt, reasonable" access to its records.

Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz says Fallin’s office has received more requests for documents than all other previous governors combined and is complying with the spirit and letter of the law.