Source: The American Prospect
by Gabrielle Gurley
“Just how badly would Missouri’s Amendment 4 have failed if Gov. Mike Kehoe had left the initiative on the ballot for November instead of moving it to August? That’s about the only question left after a mammoth beatdown of a measure designed to minimize the power of the voters in this deep-red state. Amendment 4 emerged from Republicans’ anger at the temerity of their citizens to display independent streaks rather than down-the-line conservatism. Beginning in 2020, voters unleashed a successful series of ballot initiatives legalizing abortion, approving recreational cannabis, expanding Medicaid, raising the minimum wage, and enabling sports betting. Voters also approved a paid sick leave mandate: one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Lawmakers managed to dispense with the last one: Since the measure was a state statute and not a constitutional amendment, legislators passed a law to repeal it.” (08/18/26)
https://prospect.org/2026/08/18/now-you-vote-maybe-you-wont-in-backsliding-missouri/