MO Publications Go Paperless
On July 1, 2010 Governor Jay Nixon signed House Bill 1965, legislation ending mandatory printing of the Official Manual of the State of Missouri and the Revised Statutes of Missouri. He anticipates that this move will save about $1.7 million over two years.
Governor Nixon has stated that the online availability of these resources makes the cost of printing and distribution unnecessary. In a recent press release on the Governor's website he explains, "Missourians have had quick, easy and searchable access to the Blue Book and our state laws through the state of Missouri website for several years, and the need and demand for paper copies was no longer there. This is a common-sense change that will save taxpayer money."
The Official Manual of the State of Missouri, otherwise known as the Blue Book, has been available in print for over 100 years. The Blue Book provides detailed information on local, state and federal governments -- including the state symbols of Missouri and the salaries of state employees. The Blue Book will continue to be freely available on the Missouri Secretary of State website.
Prior to this change the Revised Statutes were required by law to be printed and published every 10 years. The Revised Statutes of Missouri will continue to be available for free on the Missouri General Assembly website.
The current editions of these state publications are available for public use at the Library. Ask Library staff for more information.
Read more:
- "Mo. Senate endorses end to printed Blue Book," Southeast Missourian. April 29, 2010.
- "Missouri's 'blue books' made extinct by Legislature," St. Louis Post-Dispatch. May 14, 2010.
- "Nixon approves law ending printing of manual, statutes," Springfield News-Leader. July 2, 2010.
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