Date: January 29th, 2024
To: Chairwoman Gannon and Members, Local Government and Elections Committee
From: Trina Ragain, Lead Policy Strategist, Empower Missouri
RE: Opposition for Altering the Initiative Petition Process and Requirements through SJR 48, SJR 49, SJR 51, SJR 56, SJR 59, SJR 61, SJR 73, SJR 74, SJR 77, and SJR 79
As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. On behalf of our staff, board, and coalition members, we express our opposition to SJR 48, SJR 49, SJR 51, SJR 56, SJR 59, SJR 61, SJR 73, SJR 74, SJR 77, and SJR 79. We respectfully ask this committee not to pass any policy which will alter the initiative petition process, including the slate of bills before it today.
The initiative petition process is foundational to the Missouri law making process and ensures each Missourian has a voice in the laws that govern our state. Proposals that seek to alter this one person, one vote tradition are fundamentally undemocratic. They will further polarize our community and frustrate citizens who do not feel represented in state policymaking.
The initiative petition process is one of the most important avenues for Missourians to directly engage in shaping the laws that govern our state. The bills being considered here today propose changes that will effectively exclude regular citizens from accessing the initiative petition process. Please do not take this important democratic tool away from Missourians. We respectfully request that you vote “no” on SJR 48, SJR 49, SJR 51, SJR 56, SJR 59, SJR 61, SJR 73, SJR 74, SJR 77, and SJR 79.
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