~ missouri counties defend access to public records ~

Jackson County, Missouri is suing the state over a new law about to take affect that would be so costly to implement that the county would have to remove all public records from its website.

The new law prohibits governments from publishing any personal information about elected or appointed officials on the Internet without their written permission. It goes into effect Sunday.

Jackson County joined Boone, Cass and Platte counties to seek an injunction against the law, believing it violates the Missouri Constitution. Read the article

Missouri private investigators, attorneys and public record researchers should get on the horn to their legislators, argue the case for repeal of this preferential law, then contact the counties that are standing up in defense of public access and cheer them on.