SJR 74 [pdf] was stalled in the Missouri Senate by a lengthy filibuster conducted by the Democratic minority. The bill would ultimately make it more difficult to pass initiatives. It was also loaded with “ballot candy” – measures already in state law which are included to make approval of this particular initiative more attractive to voters, obscuring the original intent.

The Senate sent the bill to the House for conference with the “ballot candy” removed.

Yesterday the House refused to recede (and conference) and sent it back to the Senate.

The House basically replied, “The ball’s in your court.”

Massive bipartisan coalition of Missourians stops radical proposal to end 100 years of majority rule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2024
[….]

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The people of Missouri came together with a united message this legislative session: asking politicians to stop their radical attack on the initiative petition process. After months of political infighting, tens of thousands of calls, emails, and meetings, plus an over fifty-hour filibuster, the Missouri House and Senate adjourned for the year without passing any changes to the process.

“This is a huge victory for Missourians,” said Liz McCune, Executive Director of Progress MO. “The initiative petition process is an essential part of our democracy that allows voters to have a direct say in the policies and issues that matter to them most.”

The legislature attempted to pass multiple versions of their radical ideas at times requiring up to 75% approval from voters for a ballot measure to pass.

This was not the first attempt by radical politicians to attack the initiative petition process. Progress MO will continue to combat all attempts to end majority rule and remove power from hardworking Missourians.

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Time ran out. The legislative session has ended.

It’s nice that we can count on a fractured and dysfunctional right wingnut majority to save us all from some (not all) of their worst excesses.

It’s in their nature.

Previously:

Ballot Candy (May 16, 2024)

Ballot Candy – part 2 (May 17, 2024)