Tight Security on the Report, Anyway...

nitial findings from an internal investigation into apparent security lapses the night of the Governor's Mansion fire may be kept under wraps, thanks to a state secrecy law, insiders familiar with the inquiry acknowledged Wednesday.

The Texas Public Safety Commission, which oversees the state Department of Public Safety that is in charge of Mansion security, is slated today to discuss the fire and the resulting investigations, including "possible action on deployment and implementation of security personnel or devices in the Capitol Complex," according to the meeting agenda filed with the Texas secretary of state.

Two sources familiar with the investigation said the commission probably will meet behind closed doors to discuss the mansion fire, citing exemptions in the Texas Open Meetings Act and Homeland Security laws that allow for such secrecy.

The rationale is that revealing details of mansion security might interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation of the fire and might compromise mansion security in the future. The two sources asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Commission Chairman Allan Polunsky declined to discuss specifics. Immediately after the fire, Polunsky ordered security fully reviewed at the mansion.

More here.