LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s one-house Legislature was created with the promise of greater transparency in state government, but that promise falls short when it comes to some of the records legislators keep.

Lawmakers have exempted themselves from the state’s public records law, allowing them to withhold correspondence, memoranda and records of telephone calls that other state agencies and local governments have to disclose. Such documents give the public insight into who is trying to influence elected officials on important policy decisions.

Senators say the law allows constituents to contact them without fear of having their name published, but open-government advocates say the public should be able to know who is trying to influence elected officials.

Sunday marks the beginning of Sunshine Week, a national initiative to promote government transparency and freedom of information.