By Jason Hancock | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning,
Most voters will never read the full text of a proposed constitutional amendment. They will see the ballot summary — a few official sentences meant to explain what a measure would actually do.
That makes those sentences powerful. And in Missouri, they have become a recurring courtroom fight.
Judges have repeatedly rewritten summaries written by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and Republican lawmakers, while GOP officials argue courts are the ones distorting the process.
The fight spans abortion, redistricting, education, taxes and the initiative process itself. But the larger question is simpler: Who gets to frame the choice before voters make it?
Today, we look at how Missouri became one of the clearest examples of a national battle over direct democracy.
(Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)
by Jason Hancock
Courts this year have rejected descriptions crafted by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins or GOP lawmakers eight times on measures involving abortion, redistricting, public education, private-school funding, taxation and the initiative-petition process itself.
(Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)
by Anna Kaminski
An estimated 650,000 visitors will flood the Kansas City area over the course of the monthlong FIFA World Cup, which chose Kansas and Missouri as the home for four teams and at least six matches.
(Getty Images)
COMMENTARY
by Patrick Tuohey
The General Assembly should revisit Missouri’s port authority statutes. Major subsidy applications should be subject to stronger disclosure requirements regarding litigation, arbitration, financial risks and significant project changes.
NATIONAL HEADLINES
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