DBRL responds to Brattin’s Sunshine request; senator upset with length of time to complete

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Daniel Boone Regional Library has responded to state Sen. Rick Brattin’s Sunshine Law request.

Brattin (R-Harrisonville) had filed a request earlier this week surrounding an LGBTQ+-themed event that was held on Saturday. The Columbia Public Library held a “Rainbow Storytime” event on Saturday that included readings of "Rainbowsaurus" and "Big Wig."

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had threatened funding for the library after Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued a letter about the event.

Brattin and Hoskins held a joint news conference on Tuesday, where the pair compared the books to sexual grooming. Hoskins at the news conference said he did not read the books, while Brattin did not indicate if he read them.

DBRL responded to Brattin’s Sunshine Law request, saying it received his request on July 24. Brattin had requested records dating back to Jan. 1, 2025 in regards to the planning of the Rainbow Storytime event.

DBRL indicated his request should be fulfilled by Sept. 21

Brattin responded to DBRL with a letter of his own that took issue with the length of time the request would be fulfilled.

“I am concerned that your anticipated production date of September 21 is 59 days after my request was submitted. That is an exceptionally long time for a Sunshine Law request, and I see no reason why these records cannot be produced well before then,” Brattin wrote.

Both letters can be viewed in full below.