{"id":655,"date":"2024-03-15T21:13:32","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T21:13:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progressmo.com\/?p=655"},"modified":"2024-03-15T21:13:32","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T21:13:32","slug":"under-the-dome-march-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gallant-mclaren.18-188-198-158.plesk.page\/index.php\/2024\/03\/15\/under-the-dome-march-15\/","title":{"rendered":"Under the Dome – March 15"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Under<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Welcome back to Under the Dome, your weekly update on the goings-on of the Missouri state legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stranger and stranger things: The dome appears to be stuck in The Upside Down as legislators gleefully strip voters of rights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Missouri House thumbed its nose at Missouri voters this week and moved SJR74 forward, taking another step toward upending majority rule as the Show Me State has known it for more than 100 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The House Elections Committee heard from more than 800 Missourians across the political spectrum on the topic \u2013 in person and in written comments. Only 27 voiced support for the measure, though that didn\u2019t stop committee members from moving forward with taking away voters\u2019 rights anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legislation would require a statewide majority AND majority vote in five of the state\u2019s eight congressional districts to pass a constitutional amendment through the initiative petition process or a state convention. This could mean a fraction of the population \u2013 as few as 23%, according to a Missouri Independent analysis<\/a> \u2013  could override the will of the majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am dismayed that politicians in Jefferson City are attacking our deepest held democratic ideals by aggressively pushing forward changes to the initiative petition process despite overwhelming opposition to these changes voiced by Missourians like me,\u201d said Beth Franklin, a U.S. Army veteran and Missouri native from Plattsburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next step for the legislation is the Senate, but the earliest that will happen is after legislators enjoy the week off for spring break. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the House committee passed the resolution, SJR74 sponsor Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman urged the body to restore so-called \u201cballot candy,\u201d showing once again that Coleman recognizes Missourians won\u2019t easily give up their rights without a slight of hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State budget proposal cuts higher ed, child care funding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the top House budget negotiator unveiled a pared-down version of Gov. Mike Parson\u2019s spending proposal Thursday, saying his plan funnels less money to colleges and universities in exchange for more money for road building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Parson called on lawmakers to approve a $53 billion spending blueprint that includes raises for Missouri school teachers, a 3% boost in funding for colleges and universities and more money for child care programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n