Spreading sunshine on the MOHELA deal

By Sara Lampe

It is a shame that Attorney General Jay Nixon had to sue the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority in order to force compliance with the state Open Meetings Law. But Nixon's actions were appropriate and appear to have taught the MOHELA board an important lesson about governing: We do it in the open in Missouri.

Anyone watching MOHELA since the lawsuit was filed last February will see a marked change in how that agency conducts business.

Regrettably, the Blunt administration did not learn the same lesson. They still don't get it and continue to complain about our attorney general as a "constant impediment" to the governor's efforts.

Thank goodness for such impediments. The state Open Meetings Law, known as the Sunshine Law, is essential to good government and democracy. No government official or agency should be above these laws -- even those taking their direction straight from the governor's office.

No doubt the attorney general would prefer not to file lawsuits against public officials. To his credit, he has made every effort to educate Missouri public officials on the Sunshine Law, an effort I particularly appreciate as a long-time educator.

Nixon's staff mediates hundreds of Sunshine Law complaints every year, distributes updated information when the law is changed and holds free daylong seminars on the Sunshine Law and other governmental ethics issues. They have educated more than 1,500 public officials over the past 10 years at these seminars. The next will one takes place Tuesday in Jefferson City.

There is simply no excuse for public officials -- especially those on state government boards -- not to be fully apprised of Missouri's Sunshine Law.

Sometimes a little sunshine is the best disinfectant. I can't imagine an issue more deserving of full and fair public debate than Governor Blunt's proposal to sell off the assets of an agency whose stated mission is to make college as affordable as possible to Missouri students.

Sara Lampe of Springfield, Mo., represents the 138th District in the Missouri House of Representatives.