Jon Beetem

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.

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.

The unanimous verdict was scathing in its assessment of Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who refused to sign off on the work of Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick. The court concluded that nothing in state law “gives the attorney general authority to question the auditor’s assessment of the fiscal impact of a proposed petition.”

Proponents of an initiative petition seeking to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution have been unable to begin collecting signatures because of a showdown between the attorney general and state auditor.

The judge asked for more specifics regarding the plaintiffs' claims, giving them 30 days to replead the case. The bill in question received pushback, including on the new photo ID requirement and changes made regarding voter registration.

Attorneys for three women trying to sign up for the health care program say they will appeal Cole County Judge Jon Beetem's ruling.

Cole County case could be decided before July 1 start date set by Missouri constitution.

On Wednesday’s "St. Louis on the Air," Tony Rothert, litigation director of the ACLU of Missouri, discussed the legal victory his agency notched on behalf of No Bans on Choice and the impact it could have on other groups seeking to referendum the Legislature's actions.

A Cole County judge has upheld a ballot summary prepared by Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D) for a proposed constitutional amendment that…

A Missouri judge has struck down the State Auditor's authority to prepare financial estimates for ballot initiatives.The ruling by Cole County Circuit…