Gov. Sam Brownback uses a private email address to communicate with staff, raising concerns about the availability of much of his communication under the state’s open records law.

Email records show Brownback uses a private email address, while his staffers use official government emails. Brownback spokeswoman Eileen Hawley confirmed Brownback’s use of private email.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, says private emails from public officials fall outside the bounds of the Kansas Open Records Act.

Brownback’s emails to staff would be public records if the staff member were on a government account. But a media outlet or a person could obtain those records only by knowing which staffer Brownback had emailed and when.

Schmidt has recommended changes to fix the private email loophole.

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Associated Press information from: The Wichita Eagle