If citizens want to know how much front-line public employees are paid, it ‘s not hard to find out. Pay ranges are public record.
If a newspaper wants to find out if law enforcement officers are among those who no longer are allowed to drive state cars, a reporter can request and find out the job classifications of those covered by the prohibition.
But if the newspaper wants to know exactly what a particular state correctional officer is paid, or exactly who is being prohibited from driving, that ‘s when the line is crossed between legitimate public knowledge and the protection of personal privacy.