Missouri earns 'C' for financial disclosure laws

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's laws requiring state lawmakers to disclose their personal finances have earned an average rating from a national watchdog group.

The Washington-based Center for Public Integrity awarded Missouri 70.5 points out of 100 in a study that looked at 43 different factors. That placed Missouri in a tie with Oregon and Kentucky for 19th in the country in terms of financial disclosure requirements.

Lawmakers and elected officials in Missouri are required to file financial disclosure statements with the state Ethics Commission. The disclosure includes a lawmaker's employer, the name of investments and real estate. But the value of investments and job salaries don't need to be reported.