Missouri
Missouri Republicans push legislation to curb citizens’ petition power
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KFVS) – The crusade by Missouri Republicans to fortify the state’s constitution against citizen-led ballot measures is poised to take a big step.
The Senate Committee on Local Government and Elections is scheduled to hear 12 resolutions Monday afternoon, January 29 each of which is aimed at making it more difficult for Missouri citizens to make changes to the state’s fundamental governing document.
Republican lawmakers thrust the issue to the top of their priority list when a campaign was launched, despite a litany of court challenges, to collect the requisite signatures for an abortion rights question to be placed on November’s ballot.
“At this point where there’s so much at stake, gloves are off, and we’re willing to do whatever it takes to protect life, and to ensure that our constitution is protected,” said state Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, who is sponsoring one of the resolutions and has been openly critical of the initiative petition as an avenue for direct democracy.
In order to obstruct an increasingly likely ballot measure on abortion rights in November, Republicans said they intend to pass their resolution to put their initiative petition question on the August statewide ballot.
The initiative petition process was utilized by Missouri citizens to legalize recreational marijuana, expand medicaid and overturn the state’s “Right to Work” law.
“Politicians are kept under control of the voters by the citizen initiative process,” said Scott Charton, spokesperson for the political action committee Missourians for Fair Governance. “This is over 100 years time, a good process. It works. It doesn’t need fixing. But politicians want to take away the people’s right to set the agenda and to put laws in place. That’s not right. It shouldn’t be weakened.”
Freddie Steinbach was the finance director for former Gov. John D. Ashcroft’s Finance Director and the first mayor of Chesterfield.
“In 1992, my former boss Governor Ashcroft vetoed similar attacks on the citizen initiative process,” Steinbach said in a press release. “The then-Democratic majority was attacking the will of the people, and trying to make the initiative process more difficult, because the Democrats were bitter that conservatives had been using the citizen initiative, including to pass the Hancock Amendment with only 55% of the vote.”
Steinbach now works as outreach director for Conservatives Against Corruption and plans to speak out against the resolutions before the committee Monday.
“In his veto statement, Governor Ashcroft said, ‘the General Assembly should be reluctant…to enact legislation which places any impediments on the initiative power which are inconsistent with the reservation found in the Constitution.’ I ask that this legislature listen to the advice from our former Governor when considering further legislative action.”
Resolutions to be considered Monday:
SJR 48 – Would require constitutional amendments be approved by a simple majority in a majority of the constitutional districts in the state. This would eliminate the power of “one person, one vote,” by weighting any decision for amending the constitution more heavily on less-populated, rural districts.
SJR 49 – Same as SJR 48 and also bans certain topics from being the subject of an an initiative petition, including raising taxes, reducing money for law enforcements or public education. This also includes a “poison pill” amendment, wherein the entire amendment is automatically deemed unconstitutional if any part of a constitutional amendment is found to be so by a court.
SJR 51 – Same as SJR 48 and also bans tax increases on food sales, real estate and property from being the subject of the IP. Also prohibits foreign governments or political parties from sponsoring IPs, and empowers the general assembly to enforce the rules. Critics say this is merely an avenue for the general assembly to kill whatever initiative petition it doesn’t like.
SJR 56 – Tightens the requirements for how narrow the scope of an IP should be.
SJR 59 – Would require constitutional amendments be approved by a simple majority statewide and a simple majority of the votes cast in a majority of the state senate districts. (SJR 48, 49 & 51 aligned with congressional districts).
SJR 61 – Same as SJR 59, except aligning with state representative districts instead of state senate districts.
SJR 73 – Would impose a litany of new requirements and restrictions for voter-submitted ballot measures, including identification requirements for supporting campaigns, passage thresholds tied to campaign contributions, new bureaucratic steps for reporting contributions. The resolution also creates a public complaint structure as an additional obstacle.
SJR 74 – Same as SJR 48.
SJR 77 – Same as SJR 51.
SJR 79 – Same as SJR 49.
SJR 81 – Same as SJR 51, except aligning with state representative districts instead of congressional districts.
SJR 83 – Same as SJR 49, but without the prohibition on IPs related to reducing spending or raising taxes.
Copyright 2024 KFVS. All rights reserved.
An awareness walk took place in Columbia Saturday that brings attention to a genetic disorder.
The eighth annual Missouri Walk of Neurofibromatosis took place on May 30 at Stephens Lake Park.
The event helps raise money and awareness for people who have the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis (NF).
There are three types of NF: neurofibromatosis type one (NF1), neurofibromatosis type two-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN), and schwannomatosis.
While the three types of NF are genetically distinct, they share the common feature of causing tumors.
The severity of symptoms and the specific manifestations of the disorders can vary significantly from person to person.
NF1 is the most common of the conditions, affecting approximately one in 2,500.
NF2 affects around one in 25,000 and other schwannomatosis types affect around one in 40,000.
Together, the disorders affect at least 1 in 2,000 people or approximately four million worldwide.
Anyone can be born with an NF disorder, and they have a 50% chance of passing it on.
For Christina Thomas, an organizer for Missouri Walk of Neurofibromatosis, the walk means “the world” to her.
“I’ve always been about advocating for NF and bringing people together,” Thomas said. “It’s awesome to see so many people coming together who have it.”
Thomas is the third generation in her family to have NF, and three of her four kids also have the condition.
“I grew up thinking my family was the only one with it. To me, it’s very important to be able to let people know that they’re not the only ones with it.”
Thomas said she was often teased when she was younger because her father, who also has NF, had tumors all over his body.
“I was always made fun of because of his appearance. People tell me, ‘You don’t want to get close to her she’s contagious.’”
Thomas said she joined the walk because she wants to bring people together who have NF and let them know they are not alone.
Another of her goals is to get the attention from the University of Missouri.
“Our ultimate goal is to get the attention of the University of Missouri, because not for me, not for my kids, but maybe for my grandkids or the ones that are nearly diagnosed, for us to have an NF clinic here instead of having to travel to Kansas City or St. Louis for expert care.”
She said the best way for the community to support those living with NF is through education and awareness.
“We’re always about advocating. We’re always about bringing awareness.”
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 29, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 29 drawing
19-24-47-59-65, Mega Ball: 07
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 29 drawing
Midday: 6-4-0
Midday Wild: 5
Evening: 8-5-3
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 29 drawing
Midday: 3-4-8-0
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 6-8-4-1
Evening Wild: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 29 drawing
Early Bird: 10
Morning: 03
Matinee: 12
Prime Time: 14
Night Owl: 05
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 29 drawing
07-16-25-26-36
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.
SHELL KNOB, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) -A Barry County man recently broke the Missouri state record after catching a yellow bass on Table Rock Lake.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Danny Naugle, of Cassville, reeled in the record-breaking fish while fishing on Table Rock Lake on May 13. The fish broke the state record previously set in 1995.
The fish weighed 2 pounds, 7 ounces, and measured 16.5 inches. It was just two ounces shy of the world record, the department said.
MDC said Naugle normally casts for crappie, using an ultra-light rod and lights to draw baitfish.
The previous record was set in 1995 by a 9-ounce fish caught from a slough off the Mississippi River, according to MDC.
The department said Naugle plans to get the yellow bass mounted. His catch marks the first state record fish recorded for 2026.
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.
Copyright 2026 KY3. All rights reserved.
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