cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/160390
As the 2023 legislative session sputtered to a close, House Speaker Dean Plocher stood before a throng of reporters talking about what happened — including the failure to change ballot initiatives.
Republicans wanted to send a ballot item to voters that would raise the threshold to amend the state constitution from a simple majority to 57%. The Des Peres Republican said something that many in Missouri politics assumed all along: Making the constitution more difficult to amend was critical in stopping an initiative petition to expand abortion access in Missouri.
“We are pro-life,” Plocher said. “And if the Senate fails to take action on IP [initiative petition] reform, I think the Senate should be held accountable for allowing abortion to return to Missouri.”
Some Democrats, like House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, said Plocher was saying “the quiet part loud” about the motivations behind trying to get voters to approve a measure raising the constitutional amendment threshold. But in many respects, the proposal will have a far bigger impact than just stymying one potential initiative petition.
Ballot initiatives are like the one thing that seems to work well in this state gov
Well sure, that’s because our population largely votes in favor of progressive measures. We voted no on “Right to Work” multiple times now, voted for Medicare expansion, voted for marijuana legalization, etc.
And then we turn around and vote in asshole Republican politicians who immediately work against those interests. It’s because they know what’s best for us, of course. /s
I just can’t even with these christo-fascist GOP assholes. Why anyone supports having less of a say in how they’re governed will always be beyond me.
Greetings from Kansas, though I grew up in Missouri. Both our states are gerrymandered to hell with bizarro-world state governments. “I can’t even” with these people is right, though I sure as hell can vote in every single election. I hope voter turnout continues an upward trend over the next generation because it’s increasingly clear that if we want things to run the way the majority of people want, we have to overwhelm the polls.
