Missouri

Missouri Senate grinds to a halt as Freedom Caucus pushes for action on ballot measures

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2024

Missouri Senate grinds to a halt as Freedom Caucus pushes for action on ballot measures

In just the third week of the legislative session, the Missouri Freedom Caucus derailed Senate proceedings with a filibuster lasting more than eight hours as members sought immediate action to change the initiative petition process.

This came on the heels of the announcement that a group of abortion-rights advocates had begun their signature collection campaign to ask voters if they wanted to legalize abortion this year.

Freedom Caucus members asked Senate leadership to immediately hear legislation from state Sen. Jill Carter, a Republican representing Jasper and Newton Counties. They wanted this done in a Committee of the Whole, a rare move in which the entirety of the Senate would serve as one committee to hear the bill, then vote to pass it and send it to the Missouri House.

State Sen. Sandy Crawford, a Republican from Buffalo, raised concerns that doing so would rob the public of its opportunity to present comments on the legislation.

“I think we owe it to this institution to be transparent to have public hearings,” Crawford said.

Generally, Thursday Senate sessions end by the early afternoon, allowing lawmakers to return home to their families for the weekend. However, as the session began that day, the Missouri Freedom Caucus issued a press release indicating that they would be blocking all gubernatorial appointments until the Senate passed a bill making ballot initiatives harder to pass.

“Desperate times call for desperate leaders,” the release stated. “Either leadership cares about leading Missouri pursuant to Republican priorities like voters expect them to, or they do not. It is time for them to act accordingly.”

There were 25 people waiting to be confirmed Thursday to appointments in state jobs, college boards and local government. There are 16 more appointments scheduled to go through on Wednesday. Freedom Caucus members said that they will allow none of those appointments to be confirmed until their demands have been met.

This flat refusal to find a compromise led to name calling between senators, with Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin accusing state Sen. Bill Eigel, a founding member of the Freedom Caucus and Republican gubernatorial candidate, of using “terrorist tactics” to get his way.

“Do you know what the definition of narcissism is?” O’Laughlin said. “You are the definition.”

More: Ballot initiative process sure to be in GOP’s crosshairs during legislature’s 2024 session

How do lawmakers want to change the initiative petition process?

Overhauling the initiative petition process has been a legislative priority for many conservative lawmakers. In recent years, voters have passed Medicaid expansion, legalized both medicinal and recreational marijuana, and other issues the Republican majority in the legislature refused to approve.

During the 2023 legislative session, a bill increasing the requirement for passing a ballot initiative from a simple majority of the public vote to 57% approval failed to pass the finish line, as Senate filibusters in the final days of the session stymied progress.

More than 20 bills aimed at revising ballot initiatives were prefiled in December. There were varying suggestions to change initiative petitions in these bills, but most centered around requiring a majority of voters statewide and a majority of voters in each of the state’s eight congressional districts to approve a ballot initiative for it to pass.

This stems from a desire from some lawmakers to give rural voters a larger voice. Several of the recently passed initiatives succeeded based on the approval of voters in more populated urban and suburban areas. Despite receiving clear majorities of the statewide vote, they would have failed if an affirmative vote in the majority of congressional districts was required.

State Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, feels that the state’s initiative petition process undermines the republican form of government laid out in the U.S. Constitution by enabling direct democracy in the state.

“The U.S. Constitution does guarantee a republican form of government,” Koenig said. “And obviously the IP process does subvert that a little bit. It looks a little more like direct democracy.”

However, others feel that imposing new standards violates the principle of “one person, one vote” that underlies the nation’s democratic foundations. Although Missouri Senate Democrats remained rather mum during the exchanges on the Senate floor, a post on X revealed their thoughts about this idea.

Additionally, many lawmakers expressed concern about foreign influence and out-of-state money impacting ballot initiatives. So far, at least seven bills propose either restricting donations and sponsorship of petitions by foreign countries or enacting regulations on out-of-state donations or signature gatherers.

Any change to the initiative petition process lawmakers might approve would require a public vote before it could take effect, with the existing standard of a simple majority required for success.

Furthermore, with the prospect of an abortion rights petition making it to the ballot, conservative lawmakers have limited options to change the initiative petition process before that question could be placed on the ballot.

The governor’s office ultimately decides when an initiative petition will appear on the ballot. For a change to initiative petitions to impact the abortion rights issue, it would have to be passed during the August primary election, with the abortion question placed on the November ballot, provided it can gather enough signatures in time for inclusion.

However, this is a risky strategy for conservatives to employ. If the initiative petition question should fail to pass in August, then placing an abortion rights question on the November ballot could bolster Democratic voter turnout, risking victory in tightly contested races.

More: Initiative petitions came under fire in 2023. Experts forecast more of the same in 2024.

Conservative division on full display in the Missouri Senate

Although Republicans hold a supermajority in the state legislature and agree on their desire to alter the initiative petition process, Senate leadership refused to acquiesce to the tactics employed by members of the Freedom Caucus.

Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden expressed his disappointment with these actions, which held up business as usual and delayed the approval of gubernatorial appointments because Freedom Caucus members “didn’t get their way.”

“I don’t know that I’ve ever been as disappointed in this chamber as I am right now,” Rowden replied. “This is unequivocally, without a doubt, the worst show of bad faith, or the biggest show of bad faith, I have ever seen in my life.”

Rowden offered a compromise early in the filibuster, promising to refer the legislation to committee first thing Monday morning. His offer was refused after Eigel pointed to a lack of trust in Rowden to follow through on his promise.

“I know what you want but what I don’t understand is how this gets you there,” Rowden said.

Rowden questioned how this extended filibuster would cause a committee chair to react when the legislation is referred to their committee. The chair is the one who decides whether a bill receives a committee hearing or a vote to proceed through the legislative process.

After a heated exchange between Eigel and O’Laughlin early in the day, Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, who is running for lieutenant governor this year, tried to bring the matter into perspective through the words of the late Paul Harvey, who always tried to bring his radio listeners “the rest of the story.”

“As I sit here and listen to another day of charlatans, throwing smoke screens, I find that I’m very compelled to tell you the rest of the story,” Thompson Rehder said.

She recalled the events of the 2023 legislative session, in which legislative leaders crafted amendments to a bill containing high priorities for members of both chambers, like personal property tax cuts and sports betting. However, in the final days of session, she saw members refuse to compromise, killing legislation with their own priorities included.

“The people who are now up on this floor complaining about us not getting property tax cut down last year said, ‘No, we’re not passing a bill with sports betting in it,’” Rehder said. “So they gave up everybody’s property tax cut because they didn’t want sports betting.”

She said this latest stunt is another testament to the contrary nature of some senators who are more concerned about making speeches in a bid for attention on social media, especially when they get to attack fellow conservatives that they regard as “Republicans in name only,” or RINOs.

“Then you have the charlatans put on Facebook, ‘Well, the RINOs have voted with the Democrats again and voted us down,’” Thompson Rehder said. “No, sir, 15 Republicans voted against five who want to have their name in the paper 12 times a day.”

State Sen. Rick Brattin, chairman of the Missouri Freedom Caucus, said the tactics employed Thursday are not a stunt, but the only recourse left to them for ensuring that the initiative petition process is altered this year.

“Are we going to wait until the last flippin’ day as we see time and time and time again, where it falters and fails?” Brattin said.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 3, 2026

Published

4 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 5-8-9

Midday Wild: 8

Evening: 8-8-2

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 0-3-5-7

Midday Wild: 2

Evening: 0-9-9-5

Evening Wild: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 3 drawing

Early Bird: 13

Morning: 15

Matinee: 09

Prime Time: 14

Night Owl: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 3 drawing

04-07-09-17-21

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Missouri

Missouri auditor to probe St. Louis arts funder after whistleblower complaint

Published

16 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Missouri auditor to probe St. Louis arts funder after whistleblower complaint

Missouri state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has launched a review of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis’ finances.

The audit is in response to complaints from a whistleblower who alerted the office to possible misuse of funds, Fitzpatrick said Tuesday. The auditor’s office then reviewed documents provided by RAC during an initial investigation before launching a full audit.

“We have verified the veracity of the whistleblower complaint, and have seen with our own eyes at this point records that give us enough concern that we want to proceed with an audit,” Fitzpatrick said.

The auditor’s report could be released late this year or in early 2027, he added. It would then be up to state and local authorities to follow up on any potential misconduct.

In an unsigned statement, RAC said it receives an annual audit from a firm selected by the offices of the St. Louis mayor and St. Louis County executive and that it shares the results publicly. “[We] are confident the findings from the state will mirror the success we have come to expect at the local level,” the statement says.

“We welcome the opportunity to provide documentation and context regarding our financial practices and grantmaking processes. As always, RAC will continue to focus on serving the St. Louis region’s arts and cultural community and maintaining the public’s trust,” the statement adds.

Potential issues identified in the state auditor’s initial investigation include the possibilities that RAC’s administrative expenses exceed what is allowed by statute, that leaders issued bonuses disallowed by the state constitution and that large grants were issued with no follow-up to ensure the money was used properly.

Fitzpatrick said his actions are not related to the commission’s choice of grant recipients.

Changes to the grant process

RAC distributes annual grants to arts organizations in St. Louis and St. Louis County. It is funded by a tax on hotel and motel stays. The commission distributed $3.7 million last year.

The organization suspended grant applications for fiscal 2026 due to “continuing financial volatility” and a new five-year plan, according to a note on its website. It will use applications received in 2025 as a guide for its 2026 grants.

Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis

Vanessa Cooksey took leadership of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis in 2021.

“This pause allows RAC to support eligible and high-scoring 2025 grantees and applicants while navigating financial challenges and planning for a stronger, more sustainable grant program in the future,” the note says.

RAC publishes a list of its annual grants online.

Vanessa Cooksey became president and CEO of the organization in 2020 after it spent a year without a permanent leader. Previous chief Felicia Shaw had stepped down in November 2019. Neither Shaw nor RAC provided a public explanation for Shaw’s departure.

Some smaller organizations had complained that during Shaw’s tenure they stopped receiving annual grants.

The Regional Arts Commission had a $13.4 million budget in 2024, according to tax documents. Cooksey received a $196,253 salary and $28,652 in additional compensation.

Continuing a process begun by Shaw, Cooksey oversaw changes to grant applications that she said were meant to simplify the process – including removing a longstanding split between its funding mechanisms for large and small organizations.

A key arts funder after the coronavirus pandemic

In November 2022, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to direct $10.6 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to RAC. A measure that would have allocated another $1.6 million failed to pass the St. Louis County Council, so RAC was statutorily required to distribute ARPA funds only to groups based in St. Louis.

RAC has distributed $9.5 million of the ARPA money so far, funding 195 individual artists and 75 organizations.

Arts leaders said in 2022 that the sector supports more than 19,000 jobs and generates nearly $600 million a year – more than all local sports franchises combined.

The federal money was a boon to St. Louis artists and arts organizations following a steep decrease in funding at the height of the coronavirus pandemic due to decreased tourism in the region.

Tax revenues earmarked for RAC decreased from $9.5 million in fiscal 2019 to $2.8 million the next year. Tax revenue directed to RAC have increased but still lag behind the pre-pandemic total. The commission reported $7.5 million in tax revenue received in fiscal 2024.

RAC presented a new five-year plan with much fanfare in March 2020 but had little initial opportunity to implement it. Not long after, St. Louis officials put limits on public gatherings to tamp down spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Commission officials released a new five-year strategic roadmap in December 2025.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 2, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 2 drawing

Midday: 3-3-4

Midday Wild: 2

Evening: 4-8-9

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 2 drawing

Midday: 6-4-2-2

Midday Wild: 5

Evening: 2-8-2-4

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 2 drawing

Early Bird: 08

Morning: 12

Matinee: 05

Prime Time: 04

Night Owl: 02

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 2 drawing

13-17-18-23-28

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 2 drawing

21-28-58-65-67, Powerball: 25

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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