26 Saturday Sep 2026
Tags
101st Legislative District, Ben Keathley, campaign finance, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, PAC, Rex Sinquefield
Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:
C232449 09/26/2026 Freedom Is Bold PAC Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Lane Westphalia MO 65085 investor 9/26/2026 $15,000.00
[emphasis added]
Sadly, large check by large check.
25 Friday Sep 2026
Posted in Congress, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor
Tags
Bob Onder, Congress, Denny Hoskins, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, General Assembly, gerrymandering, HB 1, Mike Kehoe, Redistricting, right wingnuts, SCOTUS, slapdown, U.S. Supreme Court
Cutting it a little close, and well past the time it should have been settled, we will use the 2022 Congressional District map in Missouri for the 2026 general election.
“…The Eighth Circuit’s application of Purcell was incorrect. Even though “federal courts should not impose changes close to an election, States are free to decide for themselves whether last-minute changes to an election are in their best imposed by federal law. [….] Moreover, in this case, the Missouri Supreme Court was not responsible for the late-breaking changes. On the contrary, in an opinion back in May 2026, well before the primary election, the Missouri Supreme Court stated that the 2025 map would not take effect until approved by the voters in an intervening referendum, at least if the referendum petition was legally sufficient. [….] So in the several-month period before the August primary election, the Missouri Secretary of State was well aware that conducting the August primary election with the 2025 map carried significant risks. The Secretary nonetheless chose to proceed with the 2025 map for the primary…” – People Not Politicians v. Onder, U.S. Supreme Court, September 25, 2026
Denny Hoskins (r) [2023 file photo]
We likes this so much, let’s highlight the detail again.
“…So in the several-month period before the August primary election, the Missouri Secretary of State was well aware that conducting the August primary election with the 2025 map carried significant risks. The Secretary nonetheless chose to proceed with the 2025 map for the primary…”
Denny Hoskins (r) [2022 file photo].
Somebody did swing a bat today. It wasn’t Denny Hoskins (r).
It gets better.
…In short, as a matter of state law, the 2022 map—not the 2025 map—must be used in the 2026 congressional election…
…In the wake of that recent Missouri Supreme Court decision, a group of voters and candidates (collectively, plaintiffs) sued in federal court. They contended that the U. S. Constitution requires Missouri to use the 2025 map in the 2026 election—even though the 2025 map cannot take effect under Missouri law unless and until it is approved by Missouri voters in the 2026 election.
In two orders in the last few weeks, this Court has denied such relief. In the first, the Missouri Secretary of State asked this Court to stay the September 3 decision of the Missouri Supreme Court that had prohibited use of the 2025 map in the general election. On September 8, JUSTICE KAVANAUGH, in his capacity as Circuit Justice for the Eighth Circuit, denied that request, thereby leaving the 2022 map in effect for the 2026 general election…
Denny Hoskins (r) is famous notorious!
…The Purcell principle applies with even greater force here. The election is not merely upcoming; it has already started. Ballots using the 2022 map have been printed and mailed. Absentee voting has already begun, as has military and overseas voting. According to local election officials in Missouri: “At this point, it is practically impossible to revert to the” 2025 “map.” Brief for Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities as Amicus Curiae in No. 26–2797 (CA8), p. 12.
At this late date, ordering reversion to the 2025 map in the midst of an ongoing election would usher in electoral chaos. Purcell protects against such disorder. The Eighth Circuit panel dealt with Purcell by casting blame on the Missouri Supreme Court for its September 3 decision reasoned, destabilized the election with its “last-minute decisio[n]” that could “potentially . . . decide the outcome of . . . party control of Congress.” ___ F. 4th, at ___, App. to
Emergency Motion 29a.The Eighth Circuit’s application of Purcell was incorrect. Even though “federal courts should not impose changes close to an election, States are free to decide for themselves whether last-minute changes to an election are in their best interests”—subject, of course, to certain limited constraints imposed by federal law. Allen, 608 U. S., at 514 (citation omitted). Moreover, in this case, the Missouri Supreme Court was not responsible for the late-breaking changes. On the contrary, in an opinion back in May 2026, well before the primary election, the Missouri Supreme Court stated that the 2025 map would not take effect until approved by the voters in an intervening referendum, at least if the referendum petition was legally sufficient. Maggard v. State, 733 S. W. 3d 411, 419–420 (Mo. 2026); see also Healey v. State, 732 S. W. 3d 827, 836, n. 1 (Mo. 2026); NAACP Mo. State Conference v. Kehoe, 734 S. W. 3d 338, 341, n. 4 (Mo. 2026). So in the several-month period before the August primary election, the Missouri Secretary of State was well aware that conducting the August primary election with the 2025 map carried significant risks. The Secretary nonetheless chose to proceed with the 2025 map for the primary.
For those reasons, the application for stay presented to JUSTICE KAVANAUGH and by him referred to the Court is granted. The September 21, 2026, mandate and September 22, 2026, order entered by the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in No. 26–2797, and the September 21, 2026, and September 22, 2026, injunctions entered by the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, No. 4:26–cv–01424, ECF Docs. 57 and 60, are stayed absent any further order of this Court lifting such stays. The prior stay entered by this Court on September 10, 2026, likewise lifting that stay. The District Court and Court of Appeals should not enjoin or otherwise prohibit the use of the 2022 map in the 2026 congressional election in Missouri. And the District Court and Court of Appeals should not order or otherwise require Missouri to use the 2025 map in the 2026 congressional election in Missouri.
It is so ordered.
Dayam.
Catharine Hanaway (r) has a sad, too.
Catherine Hanaway (r) [2014 file photo].
Previously:
HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)
Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)
Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)
Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)
Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)
Favorite whine (September 3, 2026)
Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) thinks we’re all ignorant and stupid (September 3, 2026)
What the Missouri Supreme Court said (September 3, 2026)
Missouri Supreme Court slaps down Denny Hoskins (r)….again (September 4, 2026)
Tears in the rain (September 4, 2026)
Denny Hoskins (r): “…unclean hands…” (September 7, 2026)
Justice Brett Kavanaugh – SCOTUS: “Yeah, no.” (September 8, 2026)
Missouri Supreme Court order to Denny Hoskins (r): “…show cause…” (September 9, 2026)
Missed it by that much (September 9, 2026)
Salus populi suprema lex esto (September 10, 2026)
Stupid is as stupid does (September 10, 2026)
Denny Hoskins (r) and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (September 10, 2026)
So sad (September 10, 2026)
Judicial contempt has a way of making one focus (September 11, 2026)
Denny Hoskins (r) and friends whiff at the U.S. Supreme Court (September 25, 2026)
10 Thursday Sep 2026
Posted in Missouri General Assembly
Tags
Congress, contempt, contempt proceeding, Denny Hoskins, Donald Trump, FAFO, General Assembly, gerrymander, HB 1, Mike Kehoe, missouri, Missouri Supreme Court, order, Redistricting, referendum, SC101805, SCOTUS
Fuck around and find out.
Denny Hoskins (r) [2024 file photo].
After this morning:
Supreme Court of Missouri
SC101805
September 10, 2026Richard von Glahn,
Appellant,
vs.
Denny Hoskins, in His Official Capacity, et al.,
Respondents.Order
The Court hereby orders Respondent Denny Hoskins and counsel for parties to the contempt proceeding to appear today, September 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Division I courtroom.
By: /s
Chief Justice
Pass the popcorn.
Previously:
HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)
Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)
Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)
Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)
Favorite whine (September 3, 2026)
Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) thinks we’re all ignorant and stupid (September 3, 2026)
What the Missouri Supreme Court said (September 3, 2026)
Missouri Supreme Court slaps down Denny Hoskins (r)….again (September 4, 2026)
Tears in the rain (September 4, 2026)
Denny Hoskins (r): “…unclean hands…” (September 7, 2026)
Justice Brett Kavanaugh – SCOTUS: “Yeah, no.” (September 8, 2026)
Missouri Supreme Court order to Denny Hoskins (r): “…show cause…” (September 9, 2026)
Missed it by that much (September 9, 2026)
Salus populi suprema lex esto (September 10, 2026)
Stupid is as stupid does (September 10, 2026)
10 Thursday Sep 2026
Posted in Congress, Missouri General Assembly
Tags
Adam Schnelting, Ben Brown, Bob, Brad Hudson, Chad Perkins, clowns, Congress, contempt, Curtis Trent, Denny Hoskins, Donald Trump, General Assembly, gerrymander, Hardy Billington, HB 1, Jamie Burger, Jason Bean, Jeff Myers, Jill Carter, Joe Nicola, letter, Mike Kehoe, Mike McGirl, missouri, Missouri Supreme Court, order, Redistricting, referendum, Rick Brattin, right wingnuts, SC101805, SCOTUS, show cause, threat, Titus
Threatening the Missouri Supreme Court the night before a contempt hearing is probably not a good idea.
A letter, sent yesterday, from right wingnuts in the Missouri General Assembly addressed to the Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice:
In the final paragraph:
[….]
The Court is reminded that the Missouri Constitution provides for checks and balances on each branch of government. Should Secretary Hoskins be held in contempt, we will petition the Speaker of the House and legislative leadership to begin impeachment proceedings against the responsible members of this Court for willful neglect of duty, incompetency, and misconduct under Article VII, Sections 1 and 2 of the Missouri Constitution. Those grounds exist precisely for officers who refuse duties of their office, including the duty of every state judge to be bound by the supreme law of the land.
“…Those grounds exist precisely for officers who refuse duties of their office…”
Is somebody going to tell them?
Previously:
HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)
Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)
Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)
Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)
Favorite whine (September 3, 2026)
Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) thinks we’re all ignorant and stupid (September 3, 2026)
What the Missouri Supreme Court said (September 3, 2026)
Missouri Supreme Court slaps down Denny Hoskins (r)….again (September 4, 2026)
Tears in the rain (September 4, 2026)
Denny Hoskins (r): “…unclean hands…” (September 7, 2026)
Justice Brett Kavanaugh – SCOTUS: “Yeah, no.” (September 8, 2026)
Missouri Supreme Court order to Denny Hoskins (r): “…show cause…” (September 9, 2026)
Missed it by that much (September 9, 2026)
Salus populi suprema lex esto (September 10, 2026)
04 Friday Sep 2026
Posted in Congress, Missouri General Assembly
Tags
clown, Congress, Denny Hoskins, Donald Trump, General Assembly, gerrymander, HB 1, Mike Kehoe, missouri, Missouri Supreme Court, order, Redistricting, referendum, SC101805
Today, from the Missouri Supreme Court:
SC101805 – RICHARD VON GLAHN APEL V DENNY HOSKINS RES
09/04/2026
Overruled
Order issued: Respondent’s motion for a stay of injunction pending emergency appeal and application for stay to the Supreme Court of the United States overruled.
Associated Entries: 09/03/2026 – Motion for Stay –
Motion for a Stay of Injunction Pending Emergency Appeal and Application for Stay to the Supreme Court of the United States; Exhibit A – Declaration of Denny Hoskins in Support of Respondents Motion for a Stay Pending Appeal; Electronic Filing Certificate of Service.
[emphasis in original]
Denny Hoskins (r) [2022 file photo].
From yesterday’s Missouri Supreme Court decision:
….The secretary [of State – Denny Hoskins] and all of those acting in concert with him are restrained and enjoined from implementing, using, or mandating the use of the congressional redistricting in HB 1 for the November 2026 general election….
Restrained and enjoined.
Yesterday:
STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY OF STATE DENNY HOSKINS, CPA
For Immediate Release: Sept. 3, 2026
“Today’s Missouri Supreme Court rulings ignite nothing short of a Constitutional crisis. No court has ever rejected a congressional map that had already been used in an election, as the Missouri First Map was in the August primary.
We may have lost the battle today, but the war to preserve our constitutional republic is far from over. As I’ve said throughout this process, I will not be intimidated, I will not be deterred, I remain steadfast in my fight to defend the United States and Missouri Constitutions. As a fifth-generation Missourian, I will proudly fall on my sword to save this great state from out-of-state special interests and their out-of-state sugar daddies. Missouri will not become another New York City or Los Angeles on my watch.”
From yesterday’s Missouri Supreme Court decision:
….The secretary [of State – Denny Hoskins] devotes a significant portion of his briefing to discussing the confusion, expense, and practical difficulties that may result from not utilizing the congressional redistricting in HB 1 for the November 2026 election. Besides being irrelevant to the secretary’s sole basis for declaring the referendum petition insufficient, these arguments are particularly misplaced given the secretary’s delay created the confusion, expense, and practical difficulties of which he complains….
Previously:
HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)
Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)
Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)
Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)
Favorite whine (September 3, 2026)
Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) thinks we’re all ignorant and stupid (September 3, 2026)
What the Missouri Supreme Court said (September 3, 2026)
03 Thursday Sep 2026
Posted in Congress, Missouri General Assembly
Tags
Congress, Denny Hoskins, Donald Trump, General Assembly, gerrymander, HB 1, Mike Kehoe, missouri, Missouri Supreme Court, Redistricting, referendum, SC101805
“…The secretary [of State – Denny Hoskins (r)] devotes a significant portion of his briefing to discussing the confusion, expense, and practical difficulties that may result from not utilizing the congressional redistricting in HB 1 for the November 2026 election. Besides being irrelevant to the secretary’s sole basis for declaring the referendum petition insufficient, these arguments are particularly misplaced given the secretary’s delay created the confusion, expense, and practical difficulties of which he complains…”
That’s what you call a good old-fashioned judicial smackdown.
Denny Hoskins (r) [2022 file photo].
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled today, 7-0, that the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly’s mid-decade congressional gerrymander in HB 1 is void, stating, “…HB 1 is not the law and has never been the law…” Missouri congressional districts revert to the 2022 redistricting.
In their conclusion in SC101805: Richard von Glahn, Appellant, vs. Denny Hoskins, in His Official Capacity, et al., Respondents.
[….]
This Court reverses the circuit court’s judgment. The referendum petition was legal, sufficient, and timely, and the secretary incorrectly concluded otherwise. HB 1 did not go into effect and will not go into effect unless and until approved by the voters. The congressional redistricting the General Assembly established in 2022 remains in full force and effect for the November 2026 general election.
Pursuant to Rule 84.14, this Court enters judgment ordering the secretary to issue a certificate of sufficiency as to the referendum petition (2026-R004) (attaching a copy of this opinion thereto), to place the referendum petition on the November 2026 general election ballot, and to take any and all additional steps necessary to place the referendum petition on the ballot at that election before September 8, 2026. The secretary and all of those acting in concert with him are restrained and enjoined from implementing, using, or mandating the use of the congressional redistricting in HB 1 for the November 2026 general election or at any other time thereafter unless and until HB 1 is approved by the voters at the November 2026 general election and takes effect 30 days thereafter. Mo. Const. art. XII, sec. 2(b). No Rule 84.17 motions are permitted.
[….]
There will be no rehearing. The decision is final.
There’s also a lengthy footnote in the decision:
[….]
[8] The secretary devotes a significant portion of his briefing to discussing the confusion, expense, and practical difficulties that may result from not utilizing the congressional redistricting in HB 1 for the November 2026 election. Besides being irrelevant to the secretary’s sole basis for declaring the referendum petition insufficient, these arguments are particularly misplaced given the secretary’s delay created the confusion, expense, and practical difficulties of which he complains. In December 2025, a federal district court advised the secretary and the state that, if the referendum petition is sufficient, “the new map will be frozen until after the referendum, which could significantly disrupt the 2026 elections.” Mo. Gen. Assembly v. Von Glahn, No. 4:25-CV-1535-ZMB, 2025 WL 3514277, at *2 (E.D. Mo. Dec. 8, 2025). At the same time, the federal district court noted the secretary had the ability to declare the petition insufficient based on his argument in the federal litigation—identical to his argument now—that the Missouri Constitution does not permit a referendum as to congressional redistricting passed by the General Assembly. Id. at *4. “[T]here is no apparent reason why [the secretary] would incur the significant cost of signature verification given his stated belief that the petition is constitutionally deficient.” Id. at *2 n.2. In two separate cases in May, this Court stated it could not determine whether the congressional redistricting in HB 1 was in effect until the secretary issued his certification and the judicial review authorized by the General Assembly was complete. Maggard, 733 S.W.3d at 419-20; NAACP, 734 S.W.3d at 341 n.4. Despite this clear guidance from the federal district court and this Court, the secretary chose to delay his certification until the last possible day—August 4—and, in the meantime, utilized the congressional redistricting in HB 1 while incurring the time and expense of signature verification despite having represented to the federal district court he believed the referendum petition was constitutionally deficient. The secretary also chose to request verification of every signature, making the signature verification deadline July 28, when he could have chosen random sampling verification, with a deadline of not more than 30 days from the date the election authority received the petition from the secretary. See sec. 116.130.2. The secretary delayed certification until the last possible date and chose not to seek resolution of the constitutional question despite having been told at least as early as December 2025 he had the unique ability as secretary to do so under Missouri statutes. Given these undisputed facts, the secretary’s arguments about confusion, expense, and practical
difficulties are wholly unpersuasive.Perhaps worse, these arguments fundamentally misunderstand the status of HB 1 pending the referendum vote. HB 1 is not the law and has never been the law. There is only one valid congressional redistricting in effect—the congressional redistricting the General Assembly established in 2022. Under article III, section 52(b), HB 1 “shall take effect when approved by a majority of the votes cast thereon, and not otherwise.” Unless and until the voters approve HB 1 at the November 2026 general election, HB 1 is of no force and effect and did not take effect on December 11 because it is subject to a sufficient referendum petition filed on December 9. Regardless of any confusion, expense, or practical difficulties caused by the secretary’s delay and incorrect assumption about whether the referendum petition would be deemed sufficient, simply continuing to utilize the congressional redistricting in HB 1 does not comport with the Missouri Constitution because the 2022 map is the only map in effect.
[….]
Dayam.
Previously:
HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)
Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)
Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)
26 Wednesday Aug 2026
Posted in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House
Tags
54th Legislative District, Brandon Phelps, budget cut, childhood education, Dolly Parton, General Assembly, Imagination Library, Mike Kehoe, missouri, reading
…from Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) and the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly.
Books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library which were sent to a Missouri child.
From HB 2002 (the Missouri Budget 2026-2027), truly passed:
HB 2002, pg. 21 [May 2026]
[….]
1 Section 2.300. To the Department of Elementary and Secondary
2 Education
3 For the Office of Childhood
4 For a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children
5 from birth to age five
6 From General Revenue Fund (1101) ……………………………………………………………….$2,000,000
[….]
How nice, right?
Except, no:
Missouri cuts budget to Imagination Library, enrollment frozen
BY Jacob Meikel Missouri
PUBLISHED 10:16 AM CT Jun. 03, 2026ST. LOUIS—The foundation that oversees Dolly Parton Imagination Library says it is working with the Missouri legislature to restore full funding for the program in the state.
The state legislature recently passed its fiscal year 2027 budget, but a cutback in funding for the Imagination Library from nearly $6 million to roughly $2 million puts the program at risk.
In a memo posted to its website, the program says the cutback in funding would close to new enrollments on July 1 of this year.
The program would also continue to send new books to kids enrolled as funding allows, which the program says could run out of funding within four to six months.
The Dollywood Foundation says it’s working with the Missouri House and Senate to restore funding before the budget is finalized and is signed by Governor Mike Kehoe.
Imagination Library is encouraging families to reach out to local representatives to share the importance the program is to their children.
“…The Dollywood Foundation says it’s working with the Missouri House and Senate to restore funding before the budget is finalized and is signed by Governor Mike Kehoe…”
It didn’t happen.
From the Imagination Library website today, in a response to an online query about the availability of the program for a child in Missouri:
Not available in Missouri.
Because, by a vote of the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly, supporting a children’s reading program is less important than cutting taxes for billionaires and millionaires. Apparently.
Mike Kehoe (r) [2026 file photo].
Governor Mike Kehoe (r) tries to have it both ways:
Dolly Parton’s Passing and Imagination Library Funding
August 26, 2026Governor Kehoe joins the nation and world in mourning the loss of the legendary Dolly Parton.
The Governor is a strong supporter of children’s literacy and education. Given the seriousness of Missouri’s budget imbalance, tough decisions are being made to restore responsible spending across the entirety of state government.
The state budget Governor Kehoe signed in June provided $2 million in funding to the Imagination Library program. Books continue to be provided to Missouri children enrolled in the program.
Yeah, right.
Future of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library children’s book program uncertain in Missouri
Program may not continue beyond 2026 due to funding cutsThe future of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library free book program for children is uncertain in Missouri due to funding cuts.
As part of the state fiscal year 2027 budget, funding for the program was slashed down to $2 million. Previously, the program operated with $6 million in funding.
Whether the program will continue beyond 2026 is still up in the air, according to a regional director for the Dollywood Foundation, which oversees the program.
“Unfortunately, the state has not fulfilled its commitment to sustain full funding for the program,” Regional Director Michelle Anthony said in an email. “The funds needed to continue Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Missouri have been significantly reduced in the state budget. With the currently allocated funding, the program can continue operating through the end of 2026.”
[….]
Kehoe’s statement went on to say that books “continue to be provided to Missouri children enrolled in the program.”
However, once the $2 million runs out, date unclear, children will not receive a monthly book in the mail.
The program cannot accept new families due to the shortage of funds.
[….]
Yeah, no.
Because, by a vote of the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly and with the approval of Governor Mike Kehoe (r), supporting a children’s reading program is less important than cutting taxes for billionaires and millionaires.
The role call vote on HB 2002:
Rep. Brandon Phelps (r) voted for the budget with the $4,000,000.00 cut to cripple the program.
Brandon Phelps (r) [2025 file photo].
He has plenty of partisan/rubber stamp company.
Own it.
The punch line, two years ago:
Hello, Dolly! Dolly Parton to Visit Missouri for Statewide Imagination Library Celebration Event
Aug 14, 2024The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is hosting an event with Dolly Parton and her Imagination Library team on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 11 a.m. in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will celebrate the success so far of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Missouri and encourage more Missouri families to enroll.
Imagination Library of Missouri partners, early childhood education stakeholders, and other special guests were invited to attend the event in-person. DESE has partnered with Kansas City PBS to livestream the event statewide so all of Missouri can share in the celebration. Families, parent groups, classrooms, and school and community partners can watch the livestream.
“As the former Senator who carried the Imagination Library of Missouri legislation, to now being in the role of Commissioner, this is a full-circle moment,” said Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger. “Since the program launched in November 2023, we have enrolled more than 137,000 Missouri children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. We hope Dolly’s visit to Missouri will help us promote the program even further, reaching the families of the remaining 262,000 Missouri children who are eligible.”
Missouri is the 14th state to commit to a statewide Imagination Library program, but no other state has been fully funded, with all children under age five eligible, on the day the statewide program launched.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dolly to the Show-Me State and join her to celebrate the Imagination Library program,” said Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson. “Ensuring Missouri’s children have a quality education is near and dear to us, and we know the earlier we can get children excited about reading and learning the better equipped they are to find success and achieve their American Dream down the road. We appreciate Dolly, her team, and DESE for helping bring these quality educational resources to Missouri children and continue to encourage all eligible Missouri parents to utilize this program.”
All Missouri children under five years old are eligible to register for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. There is no deadline to register. The Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by providing age-appropriate books each month to children free of charge. To receive books, a parent or guardian must register their child on the Imagination Library national website. Books will be mailed directly to the homes of registered children every month, until their fifth birthday.
The statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was made possible through Section 178.694, RSMo, and $11 million was included in DESE’s Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025 budgets for the distribution of books.
[….]
Mike Kehoe (r) [2024 file photo].
“…Ensuring Missouri’s children have a quality education is near and dear to us, and we know the earlier we can get children excited about reading and learning the better equipped they are to find success and achieve their American Dream down the road. We appreciate Dolly, her team, and DESE for helping bring these quality educational resources to Missouri children and continue to encourage all eligible Missouri parents to utilize this program…”
That was then. Not now.
21 Friday Aug 2026
Posted in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House
Taigan Plummer (D).
Taigan Plummer, the Democratic Party candidate in the 54th Legislative District, held an open public town hall this evening in Warrensburg at the Trails Regional Library meeting room.
The town hall started at 6:00 p.m. and lasted until past 7:30 p.m. The wide-ranging discussion with those in attendance included public education, vocational education, access to health care, campaign finance, Amendment 5 (and it’s overwhelming rejection by Missouri voters), economic development, public service, affordability, housing, and investment in the public good.
10 Monday Aug 2026
Posted in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House, Town Hall
Tags
54th Legislative District, candidate, General Assembly, missouri, Taigan Plummer, town hall, Warrensburg
Taigan Plummer, the Democratic Party candidate in the 54th Legislative district [2026 file photo].
Taigan Plummer (D) will be hosting a public town hall at the Trails Regional Library branch in Warrensburg at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21st.
05 Wednesday Aug 2026
Tags
Amendment 4, Amendment 5, August primary, ballot initiatives, campaign finance, class warfare, election, General Assembly, HJR 173, HJR 3, income tax repeal, Losers, Mike Kehoe, missouri, NEA, PAC, Primary, regressive taxation, right wingnut welfare, right wingnuts, shift the tax burden, welfare for billionaires and millionaires
A king’s ransom…
All that out-of-state dark money gone to waste. Heh.
Amendment 4 (HJR 3) would have placed restrictive requirements on initiative petitions.
Amendment 5 (HJR 173) would have repealed the state income tax, providing right wingnut welfare for millionaires and billionaires while increasing the regressive tax burden on working Missourians.
The results:
State of Missouri – State of Missouri – Primary Election, August 04, 2026
Unofficial Results
as of 8/5/2026 6:45:40 AM[….]
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 3235 of 3235 Precincts Reported
YES 275,040 19.677%
NO 1,122,748 80.323%
Total Votes: 1,397,788Constitutional Amendment No. 5 3235 of 3235 Precincts Reported
YES 233,309 16.684%
NO 1,165,085 83.316%
Total Votes: 1,398,394
[emphasis added]
Results in select counties:
Boone
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 54 of 54 Precincts Reported
YES 7,042 15.285%
NO 39,028 84.715%
Total Votes: 46,070Constitutional Amendment No. 5 54 of 54 Precincts Reported
YES 6,292 13.662%
NO 39,763 86.338%
Total Votes: 46,055
[emphasis added]
Cass
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 48 of 48 Precincts Reported
YES 5,914 23.761%
NO 18,976 76.239%
Total Votes: 24,890Constitutional Amendment No. 5 48 of 48 Precincts Reported
YES 5,437 21.862%
NO 19,433 78.138%
Total Votes: 24,870
[emphasis added]
Clay
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 82 of 82 Precincts Reported
YES 10,517 17.872%
NO 48,330 82.128%
Total Votes: 58,847Constitutional Amendment No. 5 82 of 82 Precincts Reported
YES 10,686 18.174%
NO 48,112 81.826%
Total Votes: 58,798
[emphasis added]
De Kalb
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 7 of 7 Precincts Reported
YES 452 20.527%
NO 1,750 79.473%
Total Votes: 2,202Constitutional Amendment No. 5 7 of 7 Precincts Reported
YES 315 14.292%
NO 1,889 85.708%
Total Votes: 2,204
[emphasis added]
Greene
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 85 of 85 Precincts Reported
YES 12,418 19.364%
NO 51,710 80.636%
Total Votes: 64,128Constitutional Amendment No. 5 85 of 85 Precincts Reported
YES 10,241 15.969%
NO 53,890 84.031%
Total Votes: 64,131
[emphasis added]
Henry
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 10 of 10 Precincts Reported
YES 1,179 20.731%
NO 4,508 79.269%
Total Votes: 5,687Constitutional Amendment No. 5 10 of 10 Precincts Reported
YES 932 16.337%
NO 4,773 83.663%
Total Votes: 5,705
Johnson
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 10 of 10 Precincts Reported
YES 2,237 22.580%
NO 7,670 77.420%
Total Votes: 9,907Constitutional Amendment No. 5 10 of 10 Precincts Reported
YES 1,687 17.030%
NO 8,219 82.970%
Total Votes: 9,906
[emphasis added]
Moniteau
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 11 of 11 Precincts Reported
YES 853 21.788%
NO 3,062 78.212%
Total Votes: 3,915Constitutional Amendment No. 5 11 of 11 Precincts Reported
YES 583 14.865%
NO 3,339 85.135%
Total Votes: 3,922
[emphasis added]
Kansas City
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 73 of 73 Precincts Reported
YES 5,681 9.703%
NO 52,867 90.297%
Total Votes: 58,548Constitutional Amendment No. 5 73 of 73 Precincts Reported
YES 6,454 11.022%
NO 52,101 88.978%
Total Votes: 58,555
[emphasis added]
St Louis City
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 184 of 184 Precincts Reported
YES 5,561 9.046%
NO 55,912 90.954%
Total Votes: 61,473Constitutional Amendment No. 5 184 of 184 Precincts Reported
YES 6,355 10.327%
NO 55,181 89.673%
Total Votes: 61,536
[emphasis added]
You get the picture.
Governor Mike Kehoe (r):
Amendment 5 August Primary Election Results
August 4, 2026Throughout this conversation on eliminating the state income tax, we made the case that Missouri should think boldly about its future, challenge the status quo, and pursue policies that make our state more competitive.
While Amendment 5 did not earn the support it needed, I believe our work is far from over.
I remain committed to working with the General Assembly in the years ahead on ways to continue cutting taxes, growing our state’s economy, and pursuing conservative policies that help Missouri families keep more of what they earn.
Give it a rest, loser.
Mike Kehoe (r) [2025 file photo].