September 26, 2018 •
Clean Missouri Amendment Will Appear on November Ballot
The Missouri Supreme Court declined to take on the Clean Missouri ballot initiative case, which means it will appear as an amendment on the ballot this November. The amendment focuses on ethics reform and state redistricting, and it was challenged […]
The Missouri Supreme Court declined to take on the Clean Missouri ballot initiative case, which means it will appear as an amendment on the ballot this November.
The amendment focuses on ethics reform and state redistricting, and it was challenged because it possibly violated a provision of the Missouri Constitution that limits the scope of initiative petitions and sought to mislead voters.
A trial court agreed, but an appellate court in Kansas City upheld Clean Missouri because all the proposed changes are included under the subject Legislature reform.
September 18, 2018 •
Missouri Special Session Adjourns
The Missouri Legislature adjourned on September 14 after finalizing two bills that were vetoed by Gov. Mike Parson in July. The first bill expands the definition of treatment courts as a substitute for imprisonment, and the second creates an online-based […]
The Missouri Legislature adjourned on September 14 after finalizing two bills that were vetoed by Gov. Mike Parson in July.
The first bill expands the definition of treatment courts as a substitute for imprisonment, and the second creates an online-based STEM program for public schools.
The Legislature will convene for the 2019 session on January 9.
September 17, 2018 •
Missouri Ethics Reform Ballot Initiative in Jeopardy
A redistricting proposal and ethics reform ballot initiative titled Clean Missouri expected to be on November’s ballot is now at risk of being withdrawn. Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ordered Sec. of State Jay Ashcroft to rescind the certification […]
A redistricting proposal and ethics reform ballot initiative titled Clean Missouri expected to be on November’s ballot is now at risk of being withdrawn.
Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ordered Sec. of State Jay Ashcroft to rescind the certification of the proposal because it violates the Missouri Constitution because a proposal can only cover one subject and can only amend one article of the Constitution, and the current ballot initiative breaks both of these rules.
Clean Missouri included a redistricting proposal and also proposed lowering campaign donation limits, abolishing a majority of gifts to lobbyists, and setting a two-year revolving door provision for legislators and their staffers before becoming lobbyists.
September 4, 2018 •
Special Session Set for Missouri
Gov. Michael Parson has called a special session to begin on September 10, 2018. The special session will focus on an education initiative and expanding treatment courts in Missouri. The special session will run concurrently with the veto session, set […]
Gov. Michael Parson has called a special session to begin on September 10, 2018.
The special session will focus on an education initiative and expanding treatment courts in Missouri.
The special session will run concurrently with the veto session, set to begin on September 12.
August 7, 2018 •
Lawsuit Filed to Remove Issue from Missouri Ballot
A lawsuit has been filed to remove a referendum from the Missouri ballot. On August 2, Sec. of State Jay Ashcroft certified an ethics initiative for the November general election ballot. The proposal would limit legislative gifts from lobbyists, reduce […]
A lawsuit has been filed to remove a referendum from the Missouri ballot. On August 2, Sec. of State Jay Ashcroft certified an ethics initiative for the November general election ballot.
The proposal would limit legislative gifts from lobbyists, reduce campaign contribution limits for legislative candidates, create a two-year waiting period for public officials seeking to become lobbyists, and establish new procedures for redistricting.
The lawsuit claims the proposed referendum violates a provision of the Missouri Constitution limiting ballot measures to a single subject.
Combining multiple subjects in a single ballot measure can force voters to vote for a matter they do not support just to enact a proposal they do support.
July 30, 2018 •
Kansas City Defeats Gift Ordinance
An ethics proposal in Kansas City to limit gifts from lobbyists to $5, restrict taxpayer-funded City Council travel, and extend the revolving door provision was defeated on July 26. The proposal failed 7-4, even after a bill substitute increased the […]
An ethics proposal in Kansas City to limit gifts from lobbyists to $5, restrict taxpayer-funded City Council travel, and extend the revolving door provision was defeated on July 26.
The proposal failed 7-4, even after a bill substitute increased the gift restriction to $50.
The ordinance was introduced by Councilman Scott Taylor, who is also a Kansas City mayoral candidate.
June 27, 2018 •
James Klahr Leaving Missouri Ethics Commission
Missouri Ethics Commission Director James Klahr is leaving his post to become deputy director of the Veterans Commission. After four years as executive director, Klahr’s last day at the Ethics Commission is July 5. State law allows the director to […]
Missouri Ethics Commission Director James Klahr is leaving his post to become deputy director of the Veterans Commission.
After four years as executive director, Klahr’s last day at the Ethics Commission is July 5.
State law allows the director to serve only one six-year term; his term was set to expire September 2019.
June 20, 2018 •
Missouri Lawmaker Resigns After Greitens Investigation Ends
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 […]
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.
May 4, 2018 •
NYCU Video Digest – May 4, 2018
We know you don’t always have time to read news from all around the country, so here it is in this week’s 2 minute News You Can Use Video Digest!
We know you don’t always have time to read news from all around the country, so here it is in this week’s 2 minute News You Can Use Video Digest!
May 4, 2018 •
Ballot Issue to Amend Ethics Laws Submitted to Missouri Secretary of State
An organization named Clean Missouri submitted to the secretary of state nearly 350,000 signatures in support of an initiative for the November ballot. If passed by voters, the initiative would ban lobbyist gifts to state lawmakers and lower campaign contribution […]
An organization named Clean Missouri submitted to the secretary of state nearly 350,000 signatures in support of an initiative for the November ballot.
If passed by voters, the initiative would ban lobbyist gifts to state lawmakers and lower campaign contribution limits.
The issue must be reviewed prior to being approved for the 2018 ballot.
May 4, 2018 •
Missouri Lawmakers Will Consider Impeachment During Special Legislative Session
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 […]
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.
March 8, 2018 •
Missouri Bill Would Increase Vendor Disclosure Requirements
Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill to increase transparency in the state procurement process. Senate Bill 1060 would require individuals, corporations, associations, and other business entities entering into certain state contracts to disclose political contributions of $500 or more made […]
Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill to increase transparency in the state procurement process.
Senate Bill 1060 would require individuals, corporations, associations, and other business entities entering into certain state contracts to disclose political contributions of $500 or more made to 501(c)(4) political organizations.
The bill would also require such persons or entities to file a new disclosure for any year a contract remains in effect.
Without the proposal, the identity of those contributing to political organizations would otherwise remain anonymous; current campaign finance law does not require such organizations to file reports of contributions and expenditures.
February 26, 2018 •
Missouri Governor Indicted
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. […]
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.
February 9, 2018 •
Missouri Senate Considering Lobbyist Gift Restrictions
The Missouri Senate made changes to the lobbyist gift ban passed by the House last month. The bill must pass the Senate before returning to the House for debate. The original version banned most gifts from lobbyists, while the Senate’s […]
The Missouri Senate made changes to the lobbyist gift ban passed by the House last month. The bill must pass the Senate before returning to the House for debate.
The original version banned most gifts from lobbyists, while the Senate’s version allows officeholders to accept up to $40 of gifts per day. The amended bill would also allow officials to reimburse lobbyists for gifts exceeding $40 and permit lobbyists to cover a legislator’s constituent expenditures.
If a lawmaker accepts an event ticket from a lobbyist, however, the bill requires the lobbyist to attend the event with the lawmaker.
While the Senate’s version of the bill is less stringent than the House version, it is still considered a step towards ethics reform.
Current law permits elected officials to receive unlimited gifts of any value.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.