Margaret Donnelly Fights to Open Government to the Public

Files Legislation to Expand Missouri's Sunshine Law

Jefferson City - State Representative and Attorney General candidate Margaret Donnelly (D-Richmond Heights) filed legislation today that would expand Missouri's Sunshine Law, making government more transparent and open to the public.

"The Sunshine Law was established to hold government more accountable and prevent secrecy," said Donnelly.  "Unfortunately, some governmental bodies have taken advantage of loopholes in the law to keep the public in the dark.  My bill will turn the lights on so that the people of Missouri know exactly what our government is doing."

Donnelly filed HB 2303 in response to the so-called campaign finance "hardship" hearings held this year by the Missouri Ethics Commission to determine if candidates must return over-the-limit campaign contributions.  Contribution limits were temporarily lifted by the state legislature until the Supreme Court reinstated them.

Donnelly filed a lawsuit to open the hardship hearings to the public after the Ethics Commission decided to hold closed hearings.  Most candidates, including Donnelly, returned the over-the-limit contributions, but other candidates claimed doing so would be a hardship to their campaign.

"I am filing this bill so we will never again have to go to court to open these records and hearings," said Donnelly. "The public is tired of our government acting in secret."

HB 2303 would require open meetings under the Missouri Sunshine Law if a court decision orders any governmental body to make a determination of the retroactive applicability of a law.

"With the loopholes closed, the government will remain open to the public," said Donnelly.  "As Attorney General, I will remain committed to holding every branch of Missouri government accountable to the voters."

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