Jindal budget office refuses to provide records

Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget office won't provide most of its records tied to the state's alternative fuel vehicle tax credit program and a controversial ruling about qualifying vehicles that was rescinded by the governor.

A lawyer for the Division of Administration said records requested by The Associated Press are shielded by a public records exemption. Only one e-mail was provided. Other records were kept hidden, citing an exemption given to the governor for items involving his "deliberative process."

The Department of Revenue issued an emergency rule at the end of April that expanded the list of vehicles eligible for the tax credit. Lawmakers worried the ruling could devastate the state budget.

Jindal scrapped the rule June 14. Then-Revenue Secretary Cynthia Bridges abruptly resigned the next day with no explanation.