Rudi Keller

The Missouri Secretary of State's language for reproductive rights ballot issues has been savaged by two courts, most recently when the Western District Court of Appeals unanimously ruled his summaries are “replete with politically partisan language."

A trial starting Friday will be the third time Missouri courts have weighed the merits of a law intended to combat fraud against right to vote without interference.

After 5 hours in a closed-door meeting, members say they accept Dean Plocher’s explanation of reimbursement, personnel issues and await a Missouri House Ethics Committee report.

Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, is accused of pressuring staff to buy expensive software and seeking state reimbursement of campaign-paid expenses.

Missouri Republicans have vowed to take action when the General Assembly reconvenes in January to revise the highway commission’s power over the state road fund.

A Missouri appeals court ruled that Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft's titles for six abortion-rights ballot issues were "replete with politically partisan language." Even though the proposed constitutional amendments cover all aspects of reproductive health care, Ashcroft's titles had a single-minded focus on abortion.

A second hearing is set in November to continue review of actions by the embattled speaker, who also is facing questions about seeking reimbursement for campaign-paid expenses.

The Secretary of State would not say whether he intends to participate in oral arguments set for Oct. 30 before the Court of Appeals.

Bill Eigel has faced accusations that his gubernatorial campaign used deceptive fundraising tactics, drawing a rebuke from former President Trump’s lawyers. The firm behind that strategy also raised cash for attorney general hopeful Will Scharf.

Circuit Judge Jon Beetem wrote that the summaries crafted by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft were "argumentative" or unfairly biased against the abortion rights ballot initiatives, and ignored their protections for contraceptives.. Beetem rewrote each of the six ballot summaries himself.

The decision means the lines for five Missouri Senate districts, including those in St. Louis County, will remain unchanged as candidates look ahead to 2024 elections.

A county judge has given attorneys 30 days to file final briefs after the trial which alleges Sunshine Law and civil rights violations in Edgar Springs — about 20 miles south of Rolla.