Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District / Mar 29, 2022
Show-Me Institute, et al. vs. Office of Administration, Brandi Caruthers, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Council 61, and Danny Homan
The Show-Me Institute and Patrick Ishmael appealed the trial court's summary judgment in favor of the Missouri Office of Administration and Brandi Caruthers. Appellants sought unredacted lists of active bargaining unit employees under the Sunshine Law, which the government had previously provided to a union (AFSCME) under a Master Labor Contract, but refused to provide to Appellants. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, holding that the government's actions did not violate the Sunshine Law's prohibition against granting exclusive access to public records, nor did it constitute a permanent waiver of the right to close such records.