This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, May 14, 2010 - A trio of women state senators made good Thursday night on their filibuster threat -- but the targeted bill wasn't what had been expected.
State Sens. Rita Days, D-Bel Nor; Joan Bray, D-University City; and Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, led a four-hour filibuster that succeeded late Thursday in killing a bill sought by rural senators -- of both parties -- to block an initiative-petition measure restricting dog breeding in the state.
Rural legislators in both parties say the likely ballot issue restricting dog breeding will kill off the industry, which they say has helped many cash-strapped farmers. Supporters of the ballot measure, led by the U.S. Humane Society, say it will end Missouri's longstanding reputation as a haven for badly run "puppy mills."
In any case, Bray and her two filibuster partners had signaled late last week that they would filibuster some provisions relating to another issue: women's reproductive rights.
If nothing else, Thursday night's filibuster gave the trio a chance to demonstrate their prowess with the legislative maneuver -- and may give their colleagues second thoughts about inciting a replay during the final hours of this legislative session. By law, it ends at 6 p.m. today.
For Bray and Days, their filibuster may be a last legislative hurrah. Because of term limits, today will be the last day in regular session for both senators. Both are completing the end of their second terms.
