Latest news with #MissouriLegislature
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
For the people, by the people: Missouri's Initiative Petition process and changes for August 2025
ST. JOSEPH. MO (News-Press NOW) — A sweeping new law set to take effect Thursday, Aug. 28, will reshape how Missourians bring issues directly to the ballot. Citizens use the Initiative Petition process to put new laws or constitutional amendments directly on the ballot by gathering signatures. It's been used in Missouri for over 100 years, allowing voters to bypass the legislature and place issues directly on the ballot. Recent examples of this include medicaid expansion, abortion access and medical marijuana legalization. Senate Bill 22, passed by Missouri lawmakers earlier this year and signed by Governor Mike Parson, introduces a series of changes to the state's Initiative Petition process, altering everything from who writes the official ballot language to when and how legal challenges can be filed. Supporters of the bill acknowledge the changes will provide greater consistency and fairness. However, critics warn it could undermine democracy by making it harder for grassroots organizations to bring issues before voters. Ballot summary responsibility One of the most significant shifts under Senate Bill 22 is who will write the summary language appearing on ballots, a key piece of information that can shape how voters perceive an issue. Previously, the Missouri Secretary of State was responsible for writing the short summary that appears on ballots to explain what a proposed measure does. State Representative Dean Van Schoiack (R-Savannah), who represents part of Buchanan County, said the change is about 'putting power back in the hands of the elected General Assembly, rather than relying solely on one state office to control how issues are worded for voters.' I think the changes made here allow for the Secretary of State to do his job correctly," VanSchoiack said. Under the new law, when the legislature itself refers an issue to the ballot, lawmakers will now write the summary language instead. The Secretary of State will continue to write summaries for citizen-led petitions. Disagreers of the bill, including David Jones, the vice president for the St. Joseph National Education Association (NEA), argue that it gives more power to officials and not the will of the people. "It's important that when we do any initiatives that are going to go to the vote for the voters, that's worded clearly," Jones said. Longer ballot summaries In the past, anyone who disagreed with the wording of a ballot summary had 10 days after certification to challenge it. Courts also had the authority to rewrite summaries if they found the wording biased. Now, legal challenges and court fights over how a ballot question is worded must be filed by the 22nd Tuesday before the general election. Around 154 days ahead of time. Any court battles over ballot wording must be fully resolved at least 70 days before the election. Additionally, courts must wait for the Secretary of State to attempt up to three rewrites before stepping in. "It doesn't change what's in the petition or the resolution or whatever," VanSchoiack said. "It just gives a chance for the ballot language to change." But critics, including several voter advocacy groups, express that these new hurdles will make it harder for ordinary citizens to hold the government accountable, especially if ballot summaries are drafted in a way that favors one side. "It would be harder for organizations to challenge ballot initiatives that are worded improperly, Jones said. Tune in to News-Press NOW at 5 p.m. on Thursday to watch this Special Report. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Missouri House passes bill to keep Chiefs, Royals in state
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a plan to try and keep the Chiefs and Royals in the Show Me State. Senate Bill 3 authorizes the state to issue bonds valued at up to half the cost of stadium projects for the Chiefs and the Royals. On Thursday, June 5, the Missouri Senate passed the bill, with 19 voting for it and 13 against it. Now, it heads to the desk of Governor Mike Kehoe, who is expected to sign the bill into law. KC2026 to provide update on FIFA World Cup tournament plans Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas released a statement Wednesday afternoon, praising the Missouri Legislature's passage of Senate Bill 3: 'I commend Governor Kehoe for crafting legislation that will keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri for years to come. With passage in the Missouri legislature, Kansas City will continue its work with the Royals to build a robust and responsible area development and incentive plan to keep the Royals in Kansas City, Missouri—building on a generation of investment and growth in Downtown Kansas City. New, firm, and non-speculative Missouri state support matched with Kansas City's own resources and unique experience among area local governments in large facility development of venues like CPKC Stadium, the Kansas City International Airport, and more, will allow Kansas City to move the long conversation on the future of local sports facilities to completion. Kansas City also will provide necessary assistance to the Chiefs, their landlord Jackson County, and Clay County to build a long-term future for Arrowhead Stadium, one of the finest football venues in the world, and practice venues that can spur more development opportunities for the team and our region.' Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV The property tax portion of the bill has made it more controversial, though. It allows counties to put a local property tax reform measure on their ballots – capping a person's real property tax liability at five percent. But the largest counties in the state, like Jackson County for instance, aren't included. When it comes to the stadium portion of the bill, there was opposition from some state lawmakers who said it makes the Chiefs and Royals more profitable—at the expense of taxpayers. The Chiefs also released a statement Wednesday, thanking Gov. Kehoe: 'We are grateful to Governor Mike Kehoe and the Missouri Legislature for taking this significant step forward. The passing of this legislation is an important piece of the overall effort. While there's still work to be done, this legislation enables the Chiefs to continue exploring potential options to consider remaining in Missouri.' The Royals released a statement as well: 'As we said from the beginning of the Legislature's deliberations, their work is a very important piece of our decision-making process. Now that both houses have voted and the bill is headed to the Governor's desk, we look forward to evaluating the plan in full detail.' 'Our focus remains the same: to prioritize the best interests of our team, fans, partners and regional community as we pursue the next generational home for the Kansas City Royals.' The bill will now head to Gov. Kehoe to sign. The Chiefs and Royals currently play football and baseball in side-by-side stadiums in Jackson County, Missouri, under leases that expire in January 2031. Jackson County voters last year defeated a sales tax extension that would have helped finance an $800 million renovation of the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium and a $2 billion ballpark district for the Royals in downtown Kansas City. That prompted lawmakers in neighboring Kansas last year to authorize bonds for up to 70% of the cost of new stadiums in Kansas to lure the teams to their state. The Royals have bought a mortgage for property in Kansas, though the team also has continued to pursue other possible sites in Missouri. The Kansas offer is scheduled to expire June 30, creating urgency for Missouri to approve a counteroffer. Missouri's legislation authorizes bonds covering up to 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums, plus up to $50 million of tax credits for each stadium and unspecified aid from local governments. If they choose to stay in Missouri, the Chiefs plan a $1.15 billion renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. Many economists contend public funding for stadiums isn't worth it, because sports tend to divert discretionary spending away from other forms of entertainment rather than generate new income. But supporters said Missouri stands to lose millions of dollars of tax revenue if Kansas City's most prominent professional sports teams move to Kansas. They said Missouri's reputation also would take a hit, particularly if it loses the Chiefs, which have won three of the past six Super Bowls. The legislation faced some bipartisan pushback from those who described it as a subsidy for wealthy sports team owners. Others raised concerns that a property tax break for homeowners, which was added in the Senate to gain votes, violates the state constitution by providing different levels of tax relief in various counties while excluding others entirely. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Stay with FOX4 for the latest updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Missouri House approves $100 million in storm relief, stadium funding
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Legislature voted Wednesday to advance measures outlined in Governor Mike Kehoe's call for a special session. Lawmakers in the House approved $100 million in storm relief, appropriations for capital projects around the state, and a controversial measure that will provide public funds for professional sports stadiums. Following the Senate's lead, the House moved expeditiously to pass all three bills in less than a week. While the measures related to storm victims and capital spending passed overwhelmingly, legislators in the House broke out in a back-and-forth debate over the stadium issue. The opposition to and support of the stadium package, an initiative aimed at keeping the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri, was bipartisan as it was regionally contentious. 'I come from a Jeffersonian view of government,' State Rep. Bryant Wolfin, R-Ste. Genevieve County, said. 'We exist here to restrain power, not to redistribute wealth.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Wolfin, who often stands up to discuss the constitutionality of legislation, said the stadium bill was the one of the most egregious bills that he has reviewed. '(The stadium bill) is corporate welfare dressed up as economic development,' Wolfin, a Republican, said during debate on the House floor. 'It isn't just wrong, it's dangerous.' 'I came here to be a champion of liberty,' he said while urging his colleagues to vote against the stadium deal. 'I know you guys love these teams and I know you'll do the right thing,' State Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee's Summit in support of the stadium package. The bill's sponsor, a Republican from Clay County, urged representatives to support the proposed financing deal. Police: Suspect tracked obituaries, stole from dead St. Louis County residents 'We're here to move the state forward,' said State Rep. Chris Brown, R-Kansas City. The end result, however, was a majority of House members voting to approve using state funds to help finance a new stadium for the Royals–likely to be built in Clay County, which is north of the current site along Interstate 70 in Jackson County. The vote on the stadium deal was 90-58. Timing was key on the stadium piece as Kansas lawmakers authorized a bond deal that was meant to lure the Chiefs and Royals across the state line. The proposal from Kansas expires at the end of June. With no changes made during the House process, the finally agreed upon bills will now head to Gov. Mike Kehoe's desk for final approval. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kehoe calls special session on storm damage, KC sports teams
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A special session of the Missouri Legislature has officially convened at the capitol. The Missouri Senate, the body handling the initial introduction of bills, met for a little over a half hour as senators introduced a variety of measures, some of which don't fall under Governor Mike Kehoe's purview for legislators to tackle during the extraordinary session. Kehoe spelled out three areas for lawmakers to focus on: relief for storm victims across the state, capital spending projects that were not passed in the regular session and a comprehensive financing package that could sway the owners of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals from moving across the state border in Kansas. 'I think the offers from the other state (Kansas) are very real and sincere,' Kehoe said. 'I'm hopeful Missouri can put a foot forward to give us a seat at the table to help try to keep those two businesses on this side of the state line.' Kehoe told reporters gathered at an event at the Truman Office Building in Jefferson City that he remains optimistic about the session. 'Special sessions are never easy, but we have some tasks before us,' he said. 'I hope they'll take them seriously and figure out what the best path forward is for Missourians.' A big piece of the governor's call has to do with providing relief to Missourians impacted by a string of severe storms that ripped through the state this spring. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'That's a major part of this call that's very timely and it's something that citizens are very much hurting on,' the GOP governor said. 'Look, this legislature has done a great job this session. I'm grateful for the work they did in regular session and I'm hopeful they'll take that same spirit into looking at the issues before them in the special session.' Senators introduced roughly 20 bills on the first day. They have 60 days to pass any final pieces of legislation before the Missouri Constitution's window for a special session expires. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legislature returns from spring break, passes two dozens bills
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Legislature passed two dozen bills this week, adding to a long list of legislation that could be heading to the governor's desk by the end of the legislative session. On the House side, lawmakers passed a total of 22 bills this week, with measures ranging from school safety and initiative petition reform to abortion and gun rights. All passed, some with total consent and others along party lines. The debate on the abortion bill was lengthy and heated as was the floor consideration for House Bill 1175, which establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act. 'Most Republicans are owned by guns,' Rep. Jeremy Dean, D-Springfield, said during debate on the House floor. 'The Second Amendment is constantly under attack,' said Rep. Jim Murphy, R-St. Louis County. 'Guns don't kill people,' he added. 'Criminals kill people.' Murphy said that while it's not a perfect bill, he expects the measure to be 'fixed' in the Senate before coming back to the House. That bill passed along party lines. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Democrat Minority Leader Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City, pointed to some of the bills as Republicans undoing 'the will' of the voters. 'Whether it's on abortion or paid sick leave and minimum wage, the first order of business this year has been to undo what Missourians went to the ballot box to vote for,' Aune said. 'To see the majority party, the super majority party, just running roughshod over the voters of this state is disappointing,' she said. 'And it's certainly not what most folks expect from their elected officials.' Meanwhile, Aune's GOP colleague, Speaker Jon Patterson, said he has been impressed by what the General Assembly has done so far this session. 'I'm very pleased with the way things are going,' Rep. Patterson, a Republican from the Kansas City area, said. Patterson said the efficient nature of this session is mainly because of Gov. Mike Kehoe's leadership. 'The way that he's been leading from the top, going around and seeing all the members,' Patterson said. 'The fact that we passed those two bills before spring break I think really was because of him and his will and his efforts.' 'The Mike Kehoe that we voted for is the Mike Kehoe that we're getting,' he said. 'I think that's great.' The Missouri Senate also passed legislation of their own. Two bills passed this week, one that would allow the Missouri Farm Bureau to sell health insurance to its members and another aimed at countering foreign influence in state and local elections. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
