MOScout Daily Update: Pro-Choice IPs Filed - Johnson for Treasurer? - Spring Break

Legislature is on Spring Break.  I’m taking a long weekend. See you Tuesday!

Here’s a quick Friday update…

Abortion IPs Filed

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom formed a campaign committee yesterday (Mike Pridmore, a stalwart Democratic fundraiser, is listed as the treasurer), and filed 11 initiative petitions with the SOS office.  They all deal with enshrining reproductive rights into the constitution.

All the IPs would create a new section in the constitution entitled “The Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative” and begin with the declaration that “the Government shall not deny or infringe upon a person’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom…”

·       Some of the filed IPs proposed a sweeping right to have an abortion, while others allowed the legislature to regulate the procedure after 24 weeks or after fetal viability.

·       Some detail how the legislature may or may not regulate reproductive freedom.

·       Some include language explicitly saying that “nothing in this Section requires government funding of abortion procedures.”

But none of the eleven IPs would be considered incremental.  I had wondered if there might be a version (which could presumably pass very easily) which adds rape and incest exceptions and cements the right to use birth control.  There’s no such “weak” version in this batch of filings.  They all include the fundamental right to an abortion.

Assuming one of these makes it to the 2024 ballot, it will be an energizing event for both pro-life and pro-choice forces.

What’s Next

It’ll be interesting to see what pro-life Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft produces as ballot summary language for these IPs….

Also…

Missouri Agrees also filed 9 more initiative petitions.  Missouri Agrees (see their website here) is likely to propose a basket of election reforms which will include approval voting, being able to vote for all the candidates you like rather than just your top choice.

A Democrat for Treasurer

Lucas Johnson formed a campaign committee (Citizens For Lucas Johnson) to run for state treasurer in 2024 as a Democrat.

Johnson is from Union, Missouri and operates a winery and an online business where you can order Sangria kits.

Lobbyists Registrations

John Bardgett, Jacqueline Bardgett, and Chris Roepe added Intralot USA.

James Harris added Contemporary Presentations.

Ashley Lawson added The Doula Foundation, Onyx Aesthetics, Flawless Permanent Costmetics, The Vault PMU & Training Company, and Ink'd Classi/Purgatory Tattoo.

John Coleman added Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

Courtney Curtis added F.A.I.R. Society.

James Durham deleted Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.

Noel Torpey deleted Community Health Systems, Pleasant Hill Fire Protection District, CHC Strategies, Lincoln Strategy Group, and Parents Bill of Rights PAC.

$5K+ Contributions

NOCO United Professional FF PAC - $9,040 from North County Firefighters Fund.

Association of MO Electric Cooperatives (AMEC PAC) - $10,000 from Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative.

Missouri Democratic State Committee - $10,000 from UAW Region 4 Midwest States PAC.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Mayor Tishaura Jones, Jamey Murphy, Eddy Justice, Matt Jessee, and Luke Scavuzzo.

Saturday: Speaker Dean Plocher, Jay Reichard, and Matthew Choinka.

Sunday: Rep. Travis Smith.

Monday: Rep. Brad Hudson.

MOScout Schedule

I’m off until Tuesday.  Have a great weekend everyone!