The GRC recently upheld Jersey City’s denial of an OPRA request for Mayor Fulop’s private meetings calendar. McDonald v. Jersey City. The GRC decision is based on Supreme Court and Appellate Division opinions holding that officials’ private calendars are confidential under OPRA.

This ruling shouldn’t be noteworthy, since New Jersey law has been clear for many years that OPRA does not permit the disclosure of public officials’ private calendars. However, in this case the GRC initially overlooked the relevant court opinions and issued a decision saying that the mayor’s calendar had to be disclosed. Fortunately, the agency subsequently realized that it had erred, reconsidered its previous determination and issued a decision that complies with OPRA case law.