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In an unprecedented move toward open government, Governor Rick Scott is putting all his work related emails online. The emails of his top aides are also being posted for anyone to see. As Whitney Ray tells us, the emails tell us little about how the governor really operates.

Now, for the first time in state history, emails from the governor and his top staffers are online for the public to see.

“Beginning today, my emails will be available on our website,” said Scott.

This week Governor Rick Scott launched Project Sunburst, a website where people can search through the governor’s messages.

“This unprecedented step gives the citizens of Florida, as well as members of the media, an open and transparent window into how state government works,” said Scott.

Not exactly, once you log onto the email database there are 13 folders. Check on Scott’s file and you’ll find just two emails.

Sources who’ve worked for high ranking Florida politicians tell me, state officials will sometimes send text messages, or email through personal social networking accounts in an attempt to avoid public records request.

They also rely heavily on their aides to relay messages. In the email account of Scott’s chief of staff, you find this short message, setting up a phone call.

Dan Krassner with Integrity Florida wants to see all government communications made public, and efforts to skirt transparency halted.

“Government information should be public information. If government business is done by text message, by Facebook, by Twitter then it should be made public,” said Krassner.

While Krassner says Project Sunburst is a move in the right direction, there are concerns that putting the emails online will only drive more communication underground. Project Sunburst comes nine months after FDLE launched an investigation into lost emails from Scott’s transition team. The results of that investigation have still not been released.