GOP sunshines Dems is House and Senate
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GOP sunshines Dems is House and Senate

Date: November 14, 2007
By: Brandon Smith
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: In the midst of the Governor dealing with his own Sunshine law controversy, the Missouri Republican Party has made Sunshine requests of 19 Democrats in the House and Senate.

Brandon Smith has Democratic Representative Paul LeVota's response.

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House Minority Floor Leader Paul LeVota has already spoken to several House members.  He also sent a letter to every Democrat in the House.
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Description: We believe in open government, we believe in transparent government, so I've instructed every single one of my caucus members to be very cooperative and comply fully with the Sunshine request.
However, LeVota viewed the requests as an attempt to distract from the Governor's controversy, calling it harassment of Democrats. Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Brandon Smith.

Intro: In the midst of the Governor dealing with his own Sunshine law controversy, the Missouri Republican Party has made Sunshine requests of 19 Democrats in the House and Senate.

Brandon Smith has Rep. LeVota's response. 

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House Minority Floor Leader Paul LeVota called the requests made by the Republican party spokesman Paul Sloca a sad and desperate attempt.

Actuality:  LEVOTA2.WAV
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Description: It's a clear attempt to distract from the Eckersley case, a clear harassment of Democrats in the House of Representatives to try to persuade Democrats from talking about this issue.


However, LeVota said he has instructed Democrats in the House to comply fully with the requests.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Brandon Smith.


Intro: As the Governor faces continued pressure over Sunshine law and email records, the Missouri Republican Party has issued their own Sunshine requests.

Brandon Smith has Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill's response.

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The Missouri GOP called on McCaskill to voluntarily hand over emails from her time as U.S. Senator, even though those are not covered under the Sunshine request.

They cited her belief in the importance of openness in government.

McCaskill spokesperson Adrian Marsh said part of the request would take a little more time.

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Description: We're actually discussing at this point options about how to do that because in order to give all of those records it would be an enormous cost to the taxpayers.

Marsh said McCaskill believes this is an attempt to distract from the Governor's own problems with Sunshine law.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Brandon Smith.

 


Intro: As the Governor faces continued pressure over Sunshine law and email records, the Missouri Republican Party has issued their own Sunshine requests.

Brandon Smith has Democratic Senator McCaskill's response.

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The Missouri Republican Party made a Sunshine request for records from McCaskill's time as state auditor yesterday.

McCaskill spokesperson Adrian Marsh said it was up to the current state auditor, Susan Montee.

 

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Description: Claire is confident and has been assured that the state auditor's office will reply to the request made to them by the Missouri Republican Party for records under their custody and control pursuant to the Sunshine law.

Marsh said the Republican Party knows McCaskill promptly responded to Sunshine requests made when she was state auditor.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Brandon Smith.