Jerry Brown: Hiding His Record Until 2038

What has Jerry Brown really done to you?

Wouldn’t it be great to have a law written just for you so you could keep secrets?  Well, Jerry Brown’s got just such a law, and so he’s not telling you what he was up to while he was the governor the last time. Not until 2038.  That’s what Jerry Brown has done to you.

Jerry Brown has invoked the “Jerry Brown Law” to block release of his documents!

Brown has decided that you do not have the right or ability to access and read the documents related to his two terms as governor.   Because of a change made for him in California law, almost all of Brown’s records were concealed from public view for 50 years – until 2038! – unless he decides it’s okay for you to look at them.  Considering that documents from the President of the United States are concealed for only 12 years – and in some cases only 5 – Brown’s unwillingness to release these papers seem a little odd.

• Little-Known Fact: Governors of California who served from 1974 to 1988 do not have to turn over their official documents to the state.
• Better-Known Fact: Jerry Brown served as governor from 1975 to 1983.
• Introducing: the “Jerry Brown Law”

50 YEARS? REALLY?

• In 1988 Brown’s records were sealed for 50 years – in other words, until 2038.  ¹
• Certain records of past Presidents of the United States are available after five years, but everything not classified or considered privileged are available after twelve years. ²
• Common Sense dictates that the records of former Presidents of the United States contain more sensitive material than governors of states.  ³

CONCEALING/DESTROYING RECORDS

• Brown engaged in a years long battle with the California Secretary of State, arguing that he should have possession of his documents instead of the state archives. ⁴
• The law that governs the 50-year seal of gubernatorial records specifically exempts governors who served from 1974 to 1988.  It allows such governors to transfer the documents to a private institution instead official state archives.  5
• Brown served as governor from 1975 to 1983, which means the exemption applies almost exclusively to him.
• Brown’s records are “under lock and key” at the University of Southern California ⁶
• A task force was created in 2007 to investigate the disappearance or destruction of documents related to Brown’s time as mayor of Oakland.  ⁷
• In Oakland, a computer hard drive was found at City Hall and some inconsequential documents were located in a dumpster, but nothing much of substance was ever recovered.  ⁸

If you want to know what Jerry Brown was up to during his previous eight years as governor, you’re going to be disappointed.  He won’t let you see.  If you think he should release these records, please sign our petition.  If he listens to you, then that’s great.  If not, then that’s what Jerry Brown has done to you.