Opponents of KC streetcar expansion sue transit group over open records request

A political group that has opposed streetcar expansion is suing the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance for refusing to release documents on streetcar expansion planning.

Citizens for Responsible Government filed a lawsuit in Jackson County Circuit Court saying the alliance had refused a request for records under the Missouri Sunshine Law.

The plaintiffs say the alliance receives public funding and made a presentation in 2015 to the Downtown Council regarding streetcar expansion. When Citizens for Responsible Government asked for those materials from the alliance and the city, both parties refused.

The plaintiffs believe these are public documents that should be released, but the alliance disagrees.

The transit alliance “is a private, nonprofit corporation that is not subject to the Sunshine Law,” attorney Robert Pitkin said.

This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 2:48 PM.