(C) Common Dreams
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Lawmakers aim to restore sunshine after Parson closes off contracting records [1]
['Kurt Erickson', 'Post-Dispatch Photo']
Date: 2023-07
JEFFERSON CITY — A House panel endorsed a plan Monday designed to restore public access to state contracting records controlled by Republican Gov. Mike Parson.
Months after Parson’s administration shut down the online gateway to thousands of state contracts, lawmakers say their proposed fix will clarify what kinds of information can and cannot be disclosed under a law approved by the Legislature last year.
The so-called Personal Privacy Protection Act was designed to shield nonprofits from having to disclose their donors to government agencies and allow for certain limited liability companies to contribute to candidates.
In approving the legislation, lawmakers said the law would protect people’s privacy to donate to causes they support.
But in August, after Parson signed the measure into law, the governor’s Office of Administration announced it was removing contract award information from public access for privacy reasons based on language in the law.
Typically, users can view the website to see who wins contracts for the products and programs used by the state. It ranges from the Missouri Department of Transportation buying asphalt to the Department of Health and Senior Services purchasing personal protective equipment.
The change meant taxpayers seeking to determine how their money is being spent were forced to file Sunshine Law requests for the information.
It marked the latest response to Parson’s problems with public records.
In 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled his office had improperly redacted records and charged high fees in violation of the state’s open records laws.
Parson also was dinged by former Attorney General Eric Schmitt in 2019 over a public records fight. He also has failed to release resignation letters from members of his own cabinet.
The proposed fix, sponsored by Republican Reps. Sean Pouche of Parkville and Ben Baker of Neosho, attempts to clarify that any personal information that would be prohibited from being disclosed would not include information submitted for the purpose of seeking a contract or tax credit from the state.
The measure, which won unanimous support in the House Special Committee on Government Oversight, also says information shared among law enforcement as part of an investigation would not be covered by the prohibition, nor would information provided voluntarily at a public meeting.
The proposal now heads to the full House for further debate.
The legislation is House Bill 667.
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[1] Url:
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lawmakers-aim-to-restore-sunshine-after-parson-closes-off-contracting-records/article_4ec630f8-09ed-52c1-8500-472b1d762a6e.html
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