– The attorney general of Missouri, Andrew Bailey, hopes to successfully fulfill public records requests submitted during the phase of his predecessor by end of the year.
– Investigation by The Independent shows that the Sunshine Law backlog had 315 pending requests.
– Requests seen originated from journalists, political operatives, and so on.
An Anticipated Clear-Up of Records Request Backlog
Missouri’s top law enforcement officer has rolled out a pledge to eliminate a mounting pile of public records requests by year-end. A feat that if achieved, would close out a chapter that started during the tenure of his predecessor.
At the beginning of the week, Attorney General Andrew Bailey expressed his commitment to address the record requests backlog, notably under the state’s Sunshine Law. An inquiry on this backlog, courtesy of investigative journalism site, The Independent, found an astonishing 315 pending requests as of late Friday.
The Nature of the Requests
Diving into the nature of the requests, it is apparent that reporters and political operatives take the lead. Intriguingly, it includes demands for records revolving around the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, case settlements, and even Attorney General Bailey’s personal emails.
The Breezy Take
The pledge from Missouri’s Attorney General to wind up an intimidating backlog of public records requests is a step towards transparency that all individuals involved, from journalists to political operatives, wouldn’t dare to resist. This act will foster open communication and consequently deepen trust within sectors. However, the feasibility of achieving this by year-end is something to keep an eye on, given the various nuances and diversity of the requests. It’s definitely a race against time that is worth the watch.
Original article: https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/10/missouri-attorney-general-vows-to-complete-2022-public-records-requests-by-end-of-this-year/