Lack of money won't halt Missouri e-mail archive system

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Matt Blunt's administration is forging ahead with a plan to archive state e-mails -- even though lawmakers have not approved money to run it.

Blunt relied on existing money in January while ordering the installation of a permanent e-mail retention system. But the budget being considered Tuesday by lawmakers does not include the $500,000 Blunt requested to operate the e-mail archive starting in July.

Blunt's administration commissioner says officials will find money to operate the e-mail archive anyway.

The budget consideration comes a day after Blunt was sued by investigators appointed by Attorney General Jay Nixon. That suit claims Blunt or his deputies tried to order the destruction of the state's current backup e-mail tapes.