State & Local Government Policy, Business and Technology

Why Some Officials Want to Ban Secret Government Settlements

Stateline: Missouri has settled some expensive lawsuits this year. One case against the state’s Department of Labor resulted in a $1.2 million settlement; another, against the Department of Social Services, was settled for $2 million. Other state agencies, including the departments of Conservation and Public Safety, have also settled cases.

The payouts came to light early this month, when Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley followed through on a pledge to release monthly reports detailing settlements paid by the state, as well as associated court costs and other expenses.

“Missouri citizens deserve transparent and accountable government, especially in the expenditure of their tax dollars,” Hawley, a Republican, said in a letter to the Legislature earlier this year.

Read article