LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: ADMISSION FEES FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS?

To the Editor:

I find myself intrigued by House Bill 1152, sponsored by Democratic state representative Larry Thomason of Kennett and Chris Kelly of Columbia. I think they have something there.

This fascinating bill would give the joint Committee on Legislative Research the power to charge royalties for copies of statutes and other public records above the state's cost of making these copies.

Missouri needs revenue. These enterprising lawmakers have come up with a remarkable plan to enhance the treasury. This is creative thinking. We need more of that in our state legislature.

Think of all the documents and other materials held in state name for the public. The number is limitless and grows each year. Thousands of taxpayers will go to state offices across Missouri and pay their fee to obtain public records. The cost could go up as the market demands (in government, costs never go down). The money would roll in. Who needs riverboat gambling?

But by extension, this goes beyond state papers. If a fee can be charged on the state level as a revenue producer, let's extend it to other political subdivisions. Certainly Missouri's cities, schools, counties, boards and other state-created bodies should also have this fee privilege. They have their financial problems too. The Legislature surely would not want to deprive them of greatly needed revenue.

The public should be willing and eager to pay for public records if this would financially help their cities, counties, schools, etc. This wouldn't be a tax, either, so it wouldn't come under the Hancock Amendment, would it? There shouldn't be much, if any, protest to paying this cost above their taxes, should there?

As I mentioned, this is creative thinking. Look what else could be done to bolster state and local financing. If fees can be charged for public records, let's logically extend this to meetings of public bodies. There are huge numbers of these public meetings and the generation of revenue would seem to be unlimited.

The Legislature could open its meetings only to those who have paid an admission fee. (The media would probably protest that this is a violation of free speech, but what the heck, let 'em bring suit.)

If you wanted to attend a city council or school board meeting, you would pay your fee to get in. That's not too much to ask, is it? After all, it's the public's responsibility to keep public finances in proper order, isn't it?

Just stop and think about this. I'm sure you can come up with your own ideas of how this bill can be extended. Let your representative and senators know.

Are you listening Mary Kasten, David Schwab and Peter Kinder?

JOHN L. BLUE

Cape Girardeau