Category Archives: Missouri General Assembly

Denny Hoskins (r) and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

10 Thursday Sep 2026

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Fuck around and find out.

Denny Hoskins (r) [2024 file photo].

After this morning:

Supreme Court of Missouri
SC101805
September 10, 2026

Richard 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)

Stupid is as stupid does

10 Thursday Sep 2026

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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)

Missouri Supreme Court slaps down Denny Hoskins (r)….again

04 Friday Sep 2026

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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)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.”

03 Thursday Sep 2026

Posted by in Congress, Missouri General Assembly

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“…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)

A lack of imagination…

26 Wednesday Aug 2026

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House

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…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, 2026

ST. 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, 2026

Governor 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 cuts

The 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, 2024

The 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.

Taigan Plummer (D) in the 54th Legislative District – Town Hall – Warrensburg, Missouri – August 21, 2026

21 Friday Aug 2026

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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.

Taigan Plummer (D): Candidate Town Hall – August 21, 2026

10 Monday Aug 2026

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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.

Mike Kehoe (r) and the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly lay eggs

05 Wednesday Aug 2026

Posted by in campaign finance, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

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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: 1,397,788

Constitutional 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: 46,070

Constitutional 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: 24,890

Constitutional 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: 58,847

Constitutional 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: 2,202

Constitutional 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: 64,128

Constitutional 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: 5,687

Constitutional 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: 9,907

Constitutional 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: 3,915

Constitutional 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: 58,548

Constitutional 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: 61,473

Constitutional 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, 2026

Throughout 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].

Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever…

04 Tuesday Aug 2026

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

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Denny Hoskins (r) [2022 file photo].

Missouri redistricting referendum blocked by secretary of state, drawing lawsuit
Denny Hoskins argues the Missouri Constitution does not allow a referendum on a congressional redistricting plan while refusing to say whether enough signatures had been collected to place the congressional map on the ballot

By Rudi Keller
August 4, 2026 6:08 pm

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins blocked a public vote on the state’s new congressional map Tuesday, declaring a referendum petition unconstitutional a few hours before polls closed in the primary election.

He refused to tell reporters at a Jefferson City press conference whether the petition had enough valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. It didn’t matter, he said, because the Missouri Constitution does not allow a referendum on redistricting.

“Whether they had one signature or 500 million signatures doesn’t really matter because they are unconstitutional,” Hoskins said at a news conference.

The political action committee People Not Politicians turned in more than 300,000 signatures in December, and local election authorities spent hundreds of hours verifying whether the people who signed were registered voters.

[….]

“According to Missouri state law, I had until today at 5 p.m. to certify those signatures,” Hoskins said. “As a certified public accountant, I want to make sure all my ‘i’s are dotted and T’s are crossed.”

[…..]

“…Noun, verb, CPA…”

Detail oriented, eh?

“Gerrymander This”

From the Missouri Democratic Party:

Russ Carnahan, Chair, Missouri Democratic Party [2026 file photo].

Missouri Democratic Party Statement on Secretary Hoskins’ Continued Failure to Do His Job
August 4, 2026

Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan has issued the following statement following Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ last minute refusal to certify the petitions by Respect Missouri Voters and People Not Politicians that a historic, record-breaking number of Missourians, of all political beliefs, signed and submitted:

‘At the end of the day, Hoskins’ desperate attempt to avoid the will of Missourians is not surprising, unexpected, or even creative. This is a craven power grab by a Republican politician in Jefferson City who is afraid of what will happen if Missourians will be allowed to vote. Let’s be clear, Missourians of every political leaning — Democrat, Republican, and independent — signed these petitions. It is not everyday Missourians that are opposed to their own right to vote, it is the Republican politicians in Jefferson City,’ said Chair Russ Carnahan. ‘We support the right of all Missourians to vote and ultimately expect, after a brief court battle, that they will get that opportunity.’

###

Previously:

HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)

Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)

Rick Brattin (r): performative bullshit

24 Wednesday Jun 2026

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On our dime.

Rick Brattin (r) [2013 file photo].

“Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.” – Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)

In today’s mail:

….This session, the Legislature took bold action to secure our borders, strengthen our laws and protect our communities…”

Oh, really?

What about affordability – food and gas, access to health care, and supporting public schools?

2026 Legislative Session
Delivering Results To
Combat Illegal Immigration

This session, I fought to:

Enforce Immigration Laws
Sponsored SB 1265, fining sanctuary cities and empowering local law enforcement to enforce Federal immigration law.

Ban Illegal Aliens Utilizing Welfare
Sponsored SB 1616, preventing ineligible aliens from receiving SNAP or MO Healthnet benefits.

Require Citizenship To Vote & Receive Welfare Benefits
Sponsored SB 1772 to ensure citizenship is verified when individuals register to vote or apply for welfare benefits, including SNAP and MO Healthnet.

Wait, “delivering results”?

SB 1265 – Brattin, Rick
Creates new provisions relating to illegal aliens

Complete legislative action history for this bill:

Date Action Journal
03/31/2026 Hearing Conducted S Insurance and Banking Committee
01/27/2026 Second Read and Referred S Insurance and Banking Committee S240
01/07/2026 S First Read S75
12/01/2025 Prefiled

First, no human being is illegal.

Note the difference in the descriptions between the filed bill and the taxpayer funded mail piece.

The bill didn’t didn’t pass in the Senate. That’s not a delivered result.

Next:

SB 1616 – Brattin, Rick
Creates new provisions restricting the availability of public benefits to U.S. citizens

Complete legislative action history for this bill:

Date Action Journal
04/08/2026 Voted Do Pass S General Laws Committee
03/25/2026 Hearing Conducted S General Laws Committee
02/12/2026 Second Read and Referred S General Laws Committee S383
02/03/2026 S First Read S274

The bill didn’t didn’t pass in the Senate. That’s not a delivered result.

Next:

SB 1772 – Brattin, Rick
Modifies and creates new provisions relating to illegal immigrants

Complete legislative action history for this bill:

Date Action Journal
05/07/2026 Second Read and Referred S General Laws Committee S1608
02/26/2026 S First Read S483

The bill didn’t didn’t pass in the Senate. That’s not a delivered result.

It’s performative bullshit. On our dime.

Rick Brattin (r) [2025 file photo].

Rick Brattin (r) is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Missouri’s 5th Congressional District, apparently in an attempt to fail upward.