Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed an executive order superseding an ethics policy implemented by his predecessor, former Gov. Eric Greitens.

Greitens’ first act as governor in 2017 was to issue Executive Order 17-02, banning executive branch employees from accepting lobbyist gifts and prohibiting governor’s office personnel from lobbying the executive branch if they leave their jobs.

Parson’s Executive Order 18-10 now bans employees of the Office of the Governor from acting as an executive lobbyist until the end of the administration in which he or she served.

The order also alters what gifts executive branch employees are banned from accepting from lobbyists, opening the door for “educational” materials such as books and souvenirs valued at less than $10.

The executive order became effective as of November 20, 2018, when it was signed.

The Missouri House of Representatives announced the resignation of Republican Rep. Shawn Rhoads. The resignation was effective Monday afternoon.

Rhoads, who served on the special committee investigating former Gov. Eric Greitens, did not cite a reason for his resignation.

Greitens resigned June 1 and the investigation officially ended June 11 upon the adjournment of the special legislative session.

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Missouri lawmakers will convene a special legislative session on the evening of May 18 following adjournment of the regular legislative session.

Legislators called the special session to consider impeaching Gov. Eric Greitens. Greitens is refusing to step down despite accusations of sexual and physical abuse and despite felony charges for invasion of privacy and computer data tampering.

The special session is scheduled to last for 30 days. If 82 House members vote to impeach him, the matter goes to the Senate to determine if he will be removed from office.

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was indicted Thursday on a felony invasion of privacy charge related to the cover-up of an extramarital affair.

Although he admits to having the affair, Greitens denies any criminal action and plans to remain in office. However, he will no longer serve on the executive committee of the Republican Governors Association and did not attend the National Governors Association’s annual meeting last weekend in Washington, D.C.

Several lawmakers, including those from his own party, are calling on Greitens to resign; some propose impeachment proceedings if he does not step down.

Gov. Eric Greitens recently issued writs of election for House Districts 97, 129, and 144.

State Rep. John McCaherty resigned unexpectedly last month from District 97 to focus on running for Jefferson county executive.

Sandy Crawford’s District 129 seat was left vacant following her election to Lt. Gov. Mike Parson’s former seat in the Missouri Senate.

Paul Fitzwater resigned his seat in the 144^th District to accept an appointment to the state Board of Probation and Parole.

The elections will be held February 6, 2018.

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has called a special legislative session to consider new abortion regulations.

The extraordinary session is slated to begin Monday, June 12, just one week after the Legislature adjourned its first extraordinary session.

Lawmakers will consider stricter regulations on abortion clinics as well as attempt to nullify a St. Louis ordinance banning employers and landlords from discriminating against women who have had an abortion.

Missouri lawmakers will return to work today as the General Assembly convenes a special legislative session.

Following the May 12 adjournment of the regular session, Gov. Eric Greitens hinted a special session was imminent and called for the session just two weeks later. The special session will focus on bringing jobs and an economic boost to the state.

Lawmakers will consider legislation to attract a steel plant and an aluminum smelter to locate there in exchange for lower utility rates.

The session has no target end date and is expected to cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars per week.

Missouri House Democrats have introduced a bill to require future governors to publicly disclose donations for gubernatorial inauguration activities.

Lawmakers hope to eliminate the appearance of corruption by allowing Missourians to see how much money corporations and lobbyists donate to fund inaugural events.

Recently, Gov. Eric Greitens issued a list of benefactors who contributed to his inaugural celebration but refused to confirm how much was contributed by each donor and how much money was actually spent.

He formed a nonprofit to raise money for the inauguration and the contributions, therefore, were not subject to state campaign finance laws.

Special elections have been scheduled for Missouri House District 50 and Senate District 28.

Both elections are scheduled for August 8, 2017. The House seat was left vacant when Rep. Caleb Jones stepped down to take a position in Gov. Eric Greitens’ administration.

Senator Mike Parson vacated his Senate seat on January 9 after becoming lieutenant governor.