Attorney General's News Release

March 19, 2010

AG Koster highlights Sunshine Week (March 14-20) with fulfilled promise on Sunshine Law education

--office gave 172 presentations in 109 counties in past year--

Jefferson City, Mo.-Attorney General Chris Koster today said his Public Education Director has provided education on the Sunshine Law to public officials in almost every county of Missouri in the past year, fulfilling a promise the Attorney General made during Sunshine Week in March 2009.

Koster appointed Tom Durkin as Public Education Director last year to travel the state giving presentations and seminars to state, city and county agencies on Missouri's open meetings and records law, known as the "Sunshine Law." Since Sunshine Week last March, Durkin has traveled to 109 of Missouri's 114 counties, plus the City of St. Louis, giving 172 presentations.

"Compliance with the Sunshine Law is an essential component of good government," Koster said. "This Attorney General's office is committed to doing all we can to ensure that state and local government officials know what they need to do to be in full compliance with the Sunshine Law. Tom Durkin has done an outstanding job educating public officials on how government must operate transparently."

Koster said his office has also fielded more than 700 questions and concerns on the Sunshine Law from citizens and government officials in the past year.

"The Sunshine Law details can be complicated, but the intent is clear - government must operate in a manner that is open and visible to its citizens," Koster said. "I believe our education efforts on the Sunshine Law have led to more transparent government across the state of Missouri."

For more information on the Sunshine Law, and to see a map of the counties the Attorney General's office has visited, go to ago.mo.gov/Open-Government.htm.