The Mississippi Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from Mississippi Today in a case against former Governor Phil Bryant. The case stemmed from the news outlet’s request for records regarding a trip Bryant took to Washington, D.C. The outlet was seeking information related to the use of public funds for the trip.
Mississippi Today initially filed a lawsuit against the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration after the agency denied the outlet’s public records request. The outlet argued that the records were necessary for transparency and to hold public officials accountable.
The case made its way through the lower courts, with a Hinds County chancery judge ruling in favor of Mississippi Today. The judge ordered the release of the records, but the decision was appealed by the Department of Finance and Administration. The state Court of Appeals also ruled in favor of Mississippi Today, leading to the department’s appeal to the state Supreme Court.
However, the state Supreme Court has now declined to hear the case, effectively upholding the lower court’s decision to release the records. This decision is a victory for transparency and accountability in government, as it affirms the importance of public access to government records.
Mississippi Today has indicated that they will continue to pursue the release of the records and hold public officials accountable. The outlet’s efforts serve as a reminder of the crucial role that journalists play in upholding transparency and exposing potential wrongdoing in government.
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