- Jul 27, 2004
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NC republicans have just created a "Government Operations" or "Secret Police" force, that doesn't have to play by the rules.
“If you do business with the state, and your business is registered at your home, then partisan legislative staff from Gov Ops could go into your home without a warrant to get documents from your home, including computer files,”
If you find yourself under investigation by Gov Ops, you won’t be allowed to publicly discuss any alleged constitutional violations or misconduct by the investigators. All communications with committee personnel would be treated as “confidential.” Shockingly, you’d also be denied the right to seek legal counsel regarding your rights if Gov Ops were to search your property without a warrant, irrespective of whether it’s in a public or private space.
Additionally, North Carolina’s legislature is now exempt from the public records law that governs other branches of government. So much for accountability of elected officials.
Gerrymandered district maps can be drawn in secret, and the documents used to draw them will remain secret.
Government Operations could access personal health records (like ultrasounds) that are required by the state to receive abortion pills. Sen. Meyer found that Gov Ops, with its widespread ability to investigate with zero oversight.
Gov Ops, to enter all state and local government agencies and the offices of government contractors and charities receiving state support to demand access to all records, including those deemed confidential. Those who fail to cooperate or who tell a superior, the media or anyone else about the existence of an investigation will be subject to a criminal penalty.
“If you do business with the state, and your business is registered at your home, then partisan legislative staff from Gov Ops could go into your home without a warrant to get documents from your home, including computer files,”
If you find yourself under investigation by Gov Ops, you won’t be allowed to publicly discuss any alleged constitutional violations or misconduct by the investigators. All communications with committee personnel would be treated as “confidential.” Shockingly, you’d also be denied the right to seek legal counsel regarding your rights if Gov Ops were to search your property without a warrant, irrespective of whether it’s in a public or private space.
Additionally, North Carolina’s legislature is now exempt from the public records law that governs other branches of government. So much for accountability of elected officials.
Gerrymandered district maps can be drawn in secret, and the documents used to draw them will remain secret.
Government Operations could access personal health records (like ultrasounds) that are required by the state to receive abortion pills. Sen. Meyer found that Gov Ops, with its widespread ability to investigate with zero oversight.
Gov Ops, to enter all state and local government agencies and the offices of government contractors and charities receiving state support to demand access to all records, including those deemed confidential. Those who fail to cooperate or who tell a superior, the media or anyone else about the existence of an investigation will be subject to a criminal penalty.
North Carolina Republicans Are Creating a ‘Secret Police Force’
The euphemistically named “Gov Ops” is a civil liberties disaster waiting to happen.
www.thedailybeast.com