Initiative Petitions

A series of proposed amendments to Missouri's constitution seeking to legalize abortion is back in court, this time over the ballot language proposed by the secretary of state and expected costs.

Voters in Ohio shot down Issue 1, rejecting conservative lawmakers' attempt to change the constitutional amendment process ahead of a vote on reproductive rights this November. The Missouri GOP has been considering pushing a similar measure to block the possibility of voters enshrining abortion access in the state constitution.

The hearing was on an appeal of a ruling requiring the attorney general’s office to sign off on the expected cost to the state of adding abortion rights to the Missouri Constitution.

A Cole County judge ruled that Attorney General Andrew Bailey had no authority to demand revisions to Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick’s cost estimate of abortion legalization initiatives.

St. Louis police said they have one juvenile in custody following the shooting on Washington Avenue near 14th Street early Sunday morning.

Lawmakers have until 6 p.m. Friday to finish work on a host of key issues.

The Columbia Democrat sponsored legislation barring anyone under the age of 20 from selling or purchasing semi- or fully automatic firearms.

The legislation would raise the share of votes needed to pass a proposed change to the Missouri Constitution from a simple majority to 60%.

Democrats accuse Republicans of trying to trick Missourians with a ballot summary focused on citizen voting. State law already says only U.S. citizens may register to vote.

In addition to added transparency requirements, the bill bans the teaching of some diversity-centered topics. Senate Democrats believe the language would be interpreted too broadly.