After tens of thousands signed LCA's petition against Missouri HB 1414, MO Governor Jay Nixon vetoed this freedom-crushing legislation on July 8, 2016. This is an important victory for the animals, and the rights of all U.S. citizens!
If HB 1414 had passed, agricultural industries would have become excluded from the Missouri Sunshine Law, a law that guarantees citizens the right to obtain all records from public government bodies.
By barring access to public agriculture records, HB 1414 would have created an “information blackout” for factory farms and puppy mills -- blocking you from learning about animal cruelty, toxic pollution and human health hazards like infectious disease. But thanks to concerned citizens like you, this insidious bill has failed.
In his scathing veto, Nixon stated, "This veil of secrecy would apply to broad categories of information and data relating to an agricultural operation," and said the bill "would starkly swing the pendulum against the public's right to access information."
The message is clear: the agriculture industry must NOT be exempt from the same transparency as everyone else. Thank you, Governer Nixon, and thank you to everyone who signed LCA's petition and spoke out against this attempted violation of our First Amendment rights.
LCA will continue campaigning against dangerous ag gag bills as they arise. Learn more at www.EndAgGagLaws.com.
WATCH: LCA Founder Chris DeRose talks ag gag with comedian Russel Brand:
Chris DeRose Talks Ag Gag with Russell Brand from Last Chance for Animals on Vimeo.