In The News 
Big money commands attention and protest in Missouri
Missouri lawmakers might take a look next year at making it harder for activists with deep pockets to pour millions of dollars into statewide initiative petition campaigns. For instance, Rex Sinquefield has sunk $6.8 million into an effort to repeal the 1 percent earnings tax in Kansas City and St. Louis. He’s expected to spend millions more.
“Show me” Ballot Petition Fraud
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigators are following up on the case of a petitioner who illegally used children to solicit signatures for the ShowMe Better Courts ballot initiative, according to one Old North resident. Graham Lane said he was approached by two adolescent girls to sign a ballot initiative petition in April, when they were too young to gather signatures for a ballot initiative and petitioners are sworn to personally witness each signature gathered.
Eminent domain changes for Missouri unlikely to be filed
Missouri constitutional amendments restricting eminent domain are unlikely to be submitted for this November's ballot because backers say lawsuits challenging the measures took too long to resolve. "We have not officially thrown in the towel, but we have effectively thrown it in," said Ron Calzone, chairman of Missouri Citizens for Property Rights. Calzone said it is frustrating not to get the measures on the ballot, because he believes most Missourians would support reining in eminent domain.
Missouri Senate to consider challenge to federal health care mandate
There's a renewed interest in the Missouri Senate to put a constitutional amendment before voters in November to counter a new federal mandate requiring every Missourian carry health insurance. The federal bill, passed Sunday night by a narrow 219-212 majority in the U.S. House, would require almost every citizen to purchase insurance by 2014 or pay a fine.
Legal issues: Ballot initiative lawsuits on all sides leave courts jammed
Of the 101 initiative petitions Secretary of State Robin Carnahan's office has received for this election cycle, 44 were approved for circulation, and 28 of those have been tied up in the courts.
As legislature becomes gridlocked, ballot initiatives are more popular for controversial issues
Citizen coalitions, millionaires and out-of-state groups are increasingly trying to bypass the Missouri legislature in favor of taking constitutional amendments and changes in state law directly to voters.
Earnings tax in St. Louis, Kansas City could be challenged in statewide ballot initiative
A campaign is under way to ask Missouri voters to eliminate the city earnings tax in St. Louis and Kansas City.
Vote on puppy mill act is sought
Hoping to end abuse at puppy mills, a group of animal welfare organizations is working to put a ballot initiative before Missouri voters this year.
Petitioning to start on Mo. takings measure
Missourians could soon be asked to sign petitions for ballot initiatives limiting the use of national takings.
Report: Ballot Proposal Threatens Missouri Jobs, Economy
A proposed constitutional amendment at the center of newly filed legislation could cost the state high-paying jobs and millions of dollars each year in missed economic opportunities, according to a report by the State Auditor’s Office.
