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Missouri initiative petition bill, a top GOP priority, dies on final day of session
The Missouri Senate put its dysfunction on display one last time Friday when it adjourned minutes after reconvening, effectively killing efforts to send voters a ballot measure changing the majority needed to pass constitutional amendments. The decision to quit almost eight hours before the constitutional deadline shows how little tolerance Republican leadership had for remaining […]
Missouri Senate bitterness halts action as lawmakers prepare for final day of chaotic session
The Missouri Senate did nothing but fight during two brief floor sessions Thursday, with Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin stepping in during each to cut off acrimonious exchanges, first with a recess and then with adjournment. As a result, the Senate considered no legislation on the penultimate day of this year’s session and seems unlikely to […]
50-hour filibuster forces more negotiations on GOP-backed initiative petition changes
A 50-hour Democratic filibuster forced the Senate’s divided GOP majority to finally yield Wednesday evening, stalling a vote on a bill seeking to make it more difficult to amend Missouri’s constitution. Democrats have blocked all action in the Senate since Monday afternoon, demanding that the legislation be stripped of “ballot candy” that would bar non-citizens […]
Democratic filibuster of initiative petition bill exceeds 41 hours, sets new record
A filibuster in the Missouri Senate set a new record Wednesday morning, as Democrats continued to demand “ballot candy” about non-citizen voting and foreign fundraising be removed from an initiative petition bill before it goes to voters. The previous modern record for longest filibuster was set earlier this year by the Senate Freedom Caucus, who […]
Democrats pull all-night filibuster of bill making it harder to amend Missouri Constitution
A Democratic filibuster of legislation making it harder for Missourians to amend the state constitution through citizen-led initiatives stretched through the night and into its 15th hour Tuesday morning. Though Democrats oppose the changes to the initiative petition process, their filibuster was focused on GOP efforts to include “ballot candy” that would add unrelated issues […]
Child care tax credits, a top priority for Missouri governor, face uphill battle in the Senate
For the second year in a row, the fate of a bill creating new child care tax credits — one of Gov. Mike Parson’s top legislative priorities — is in the hands of a faction of Republicans in the Missouri Senate. Designed to help improve access and affordability of child care, the package of child […]
Senate braces for showdown over push to make it harder to amend Missouri Constitution
With the state budget finally out of the way, Missouri Republicans are ready to turn their attention to a priority they’ve pursued since day one of legislative session: making it harder to amend the state constitution through an initiative petition. Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin told reporters Thursday that Republicans intend to bring the initiative […]
Missouri Planned Parenthood clinics remain ‘open to all’ despite new Medicaid restrictions
Missouri’s Planned Parenthood clinics say they will continue serving patients on Medicaid, even after Gov. Mike Parson signed legislation Thursday blocking state and federal funds from going to the organization. The new law, which goes into effect Aug. 28, is the third — and Republicans hope final — attempt to end Medicaid reimbursements to any […]
Missouri governor signs bill ending Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday signed legislation limiting Planned Parenthood’s ability to serve low-income patients at a ceremony in his Capitol office Thursday. The new law, which will go into effect Aug. 28, will end Medicaid reimbursements to any health centers affiliated with abortion providers. In Missouri, the law would apply to Planned Parenthood. […]
Fate of ‘game changer’ women’s health care bill in hands of Missouri Senate
A wide-ranging women's health care bill that stalled in the House for months over concerns about expanding coverage for birth control is a step away from the governor's desk.
More than 380,000 Missourians sign initiative petition to put abortion on the ballot
A campaign to enshrine abortion rights in Missouri’s constitution said Friday that it collected more than 380,000 signatures in just three months, more than twice the likely total needed to qualify for this year’s statewide ballot. The coalition, called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, is hoping to put on the November ballot a measure that would […]
Anti-abortion groups say more aggressive approach necessary to stop Missouri amendment
Wednesday’s Midwest March for Life at the Missouri Capitol had a different tone this year. It was about fighting. Nearly two years ago, the crowd celebrated Missouri becoming the first state to ban abortion after Roe V. Wade was overturned. But on Wednesday, a new worry loomed over the annual event: Abortion could soon be […]