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As our state Constitution declares in Article 1, Section I, Missouri IS a republic in which “all political power is vested in and derived from the people,” after all, and their will should be respected whether that will is expressed through their representatives or directly on a ballot measure.

In fact, the case could be made that the most important duty of any elected official is to see that the will of the people, within constitutional restraints, is carried out.

But do we really know what their will is considering the fact that Amendment 3 rolled in multiple subjects and language that could be interpreted by courts to broaden the application of the amendment even more than its text expressly states?

If each of the elements in Amendment 3 (or each of the elements the “No on 3” folks believed were in Amendment 3) were presented to voters one at a time, would they have adopted all of them?

Going forward, the best way for the General Assembly to find out what the will of the people actually is would be for them to give the people an opportunity to consider the most contentious aspects of Amendment 3 one piece at a time.

If the debate we’ve all been subject to these last several weeks is any indication, there is actually a lot of common ground on the four or five most argued points – the contention was mostly over whether the claims of the “No on 3” folks were truly in Amendment 3.

It seems to me that the people should be given an opportunity for a “clarifying vote.”

In fact, I think the General Assembly actually has a duty to give voters an opportunity to clarify exactly what their will is.

The following amendments should be offered to voters as an addendum to Amendment 3 – perhaps in the form of a “notwithstanding the rest of this section”:

• This section has no bearing one way or the other on transgender care.
• This section is not to be construed to diminish the rights of parents or to convey any new powers to minors independent of their parents or guardians.
• This section shall not be construed to grant a right to partial birth abortion.
• This section shall not be construed to indemnify anyone from civil or criminal liability for malpractice.
• No citizen shall be compelled to participate in another person’s reproductive choices through taxation.

Again, each of those clarifying changes to Amendment 3 should be presented to voters one at a time at the next general election – only then will we really know what the will of the people is.

Ron Calzone

Director at Missouri First, Inc., a think tank devoted to restoring constitutional, limited government in Missouri.

The post Opinion: The General Assembly’s Duty With Regard to the Amendment 3 Vote appeared first on The Missouri Times.

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First, let’s understand the problem: this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have proposed a 2.8% cut in pay for physicians. This comes as nearly all other providers, such as skilled nurses, have received a payment increase in line with inflation. The reason is simple—most other care providers have automatic annual inflation payment updates written into the Medicare payment model, while physicians do not. 

The result? Physicians are getting squeezed by lower Medicare payments and higher costs. In fact, while the cost of running a medical practice has increased by more than 50% between 2001 and 2024, Medicare physician payments have been reduced by 29%, adjusted for inflation. It’s no wonder a recent survey found one in five physicians are considering leaving their current practice within two years. 

This poses an imminent threat to seniors’ access to physician care. Plain and simple: the more pressure Medicare’s payment model puts on physicians, the greater the likelihood that fewer Missouri physicians will be able to accept patients with Medicare. And while Washington may not mind the idea of paying for fewer Medicare patients’ visits to their doctors, every senior I know recognizes the important role that physicians play in their health care. 

This impending collapse in Medicare recipients’ physician care access can be avoided, but the solution will demand immediate action by Congress. First, our leaders need to stop this proposed 2.8% cut in physician pay from going into effect in 2025. That will stem the bleeding for now. Needless to say, as autumn of 2024 winds to a close, the clock is ticking. 

But we need to do more than stem the bleeding—we need to change the law so that physicians are no longer dependent on the whims of Congress to earn fair, inflation-adjusted payment from Medicare. The solution is H.R. 10073, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, a bipartisan bill which supports physicians and protects access to care for Medicare beneficiaries. This legislation would cancel the 2.8% cut and provide a 1.8% payment update for 2025. 

 Congress needs to pass this bill and establish a permanent, fix to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and provide much-needed stability in the Medicare payment system that keeps up with the cost of practicing medicine and encourages practice innovation.

If you or someone you love is on Medicare, this payment problem will impact your life— either by risking losing your doctor’s care, or if Congress finally acts, preserving access to quality physician care for Medicare patients for years to come. Please join me in asking your US Representative to support H.R. 10073, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, and fix the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule once and for all.

Catherine R. Edwards, PhD

Concerned Senior

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Senator-Elect Maggie Nurrenbern – The lone electoral bright spot for the Missouri Democratic Party she is a future star and on the bright side things can only look up from here for Missouri Democrats.

HRCC – The House Republican Campaign Committee led by Hannah Sutton, Dallas Ernst, and Casey Burns started out the cycle staring at the potential of a ten-seat loss. Just last week most projections stood at around a five-seat loss, but on election night they lost ZERO. An amazing accomplishment that literally no one thought possible, delivered by a record-breaking fundraising effort.

Speaker-Elect Jon Patterson – When you look at the remarkable election night for House Republicans you have to credit the man at the top. He not only led House Republicans to a historic night, but he won his own tough re-election. This is Mike Kehoe’s republican party, but the future of this party is Dr. Jon Patterson.

Judges Kelly Broniec, and Ginger Gooch – These two extremely qualified judges were overwhelmingly retained by Missourians to their seats on the Supreme Court in the face of the most coordinated attack on any judge’s retention in recent memory. Another affirmation of our Missouri Plan against left-wing attacks.

The Osage Indian Nation – They caught a huge break with the amendment allowing a state licensed casino at the Lake of the Ozarks being defeated. It sure looks like the road is paved for Governor Parson to grant the Osage application for an Indian casino at the lake.

The Pro-Choice Community – A win is a win and they will take it and celebrate it. Now they will have to defend their win in court and likely in two years at the ballot box. In the end, many Missourians went to the ballot box and voted for Amendment 3 and for many pro-life Republicans.

Senator-Elect David Gregory – First he fought through a bruising and expensive three-way primary, then he had to stand down the Democrat’s top recruit and being heavily outspent. #BulletproofTiger

Amendment 2 – I’ve never seen a Missouri ballot measure survive the amount of money spent against it. Kudos to Christian Morgan, Jack Cardetti, and their entire team. You don’t count wins by how big the margin is, you count ’em by if you won or not. Amazing work against tall odds.

Governor Mike Parson – He continues the incredible undefeated streak of his statewide appointees winning their elections. Governor Mike Parson has remade the party and the State of Missouri in his image.

Senator Eric Schmitt – Speaking of those Parson appointees US Senator Eric Schmitt is now walking on the biggest stages in national politics, and it’s fun to watch. Missouri’s favorite son will now be one of the top contenders for the presidency in 2028.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey – He led the ticket after single-handedly defeating Wall Street and Washington D.C. in the primary. His future is incredibly bright unless the national spotlight comes calling first.

Chris Arps – He led a masterful campaign to a resounding win on Amendment 7 and is carving out quite a niche in the issues game.

Rep. Keri Ingle – Looking to ’26 she caught a huge break in President Trump being re-elected. SD8 is much more winnable for her with a Republican in the White House. It could be the only Republican who could defeat her now is Speaker Jon Patterson.

Senator-elect Joe Nicola – You’re gonna have to quit calling Joe Nicola wins upsets. Ill give you a prediction that many will consider another upset: Senator Nicola will be a productive and quality addition to the chamber. One who will further increase the esteem and clout of Senator Jill Carter. 

DEI – The morning after the election Governor-elect Kehoe restated his commitment to Alex Bryant on KWTO to ending the left-wing DEI practices and the bureaucrats implementing them in state departments such as the Department of Insurance. You wonder if far-left bureaucrats such as John Rehagen, perhaps the most left-wing bureaucrat in all of state government, get the message and hit the road (assuredly in the far left lane of that road) before January 13th?

Drew Dampf – As Meatloaf would say, “Don’t be sad, because 2 out of 3 ain’t bad”. The head of the Missouri Republican Senate campaign efforts helped deliver wins in SD11 and SD15 to keep the 24-10 majority over the doom and gloom predictions of many.

The Pro-Life Community – A few weeks ago Mike Kehoe got involved in the No on 3 campaign and has put together a cohesive, well-funded, and positive pro-life movement that might actually have the potential to convince the majority of Missourians to join it.

Missouri Chamber vs. Trial Attorneys – The chamber finally came out and put their words into action helping candidates of both parties who they consider pro-business. However, it was the trial lawyers who ended up winning in SD15 and SD17 while I tend to think that Senator Nicola in SD11 ultimately ends up being a friendly as well. Now as for the new Governor…. that might be a different story.

Sunday on This Week in Missouri Politics our featured guest will be House Speaker-Elect Jon Patterson as well as freshmen senators Kurtis Gregory, Maggie Nurrenbern, and Jamie Burger. 

Scott Faughn

Scott Faughn is the publisher of The Missouri Times, owner of the Clayton Times in Clayton; SEMO Times in Poplar Bluff; and host of the only statewide political television show, This Week in Missouri Politics.

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I don’t believe it is. I don’t believe most Missourians want to enshrine late-term, or partial-birth, abortion in our state constitution. I admit that I write this as someone who is ardently pro-life, and who has fought diligently to protect the sanctity of innocent life as a state legislator, as chairman of the House Budget Committee, and as a statewide officeholder. But I also believe the reason I have won elective office each time I have run is because the values I hold dear are Missouri values, not those of out-of-state interests.

At the same time, I understand many Missourians take issue with our state’s current abortion law, which provides the strongest pro-life protections in the country. While our current law does allow abortions to protect the life of the mother, many voters want to see additional changes to it.

But the reality is Amendment 3 is not merely modifying our existing law to accommodate those concerns. Instead, it would enshrine in our constitution the values of the most radical pro-abortion forces. The proponents of Amendment 3 want you to believe it’s your only option, but their proposal is so extreme, they know it would never pass if they were honest about what it would allow. That is why their advertisements resort to presenting a false choice between our current abortion laws and their proposal that would allow an abortion to occur at any point during a pregnancy for any reason.

Some claim Amendment 3 would also prevent legislative restrictions on sex change operations for minors. The fact is the language of the amendment will be subject to interpretation by the courts if there is a dispute about what it means. The amendment says, “The Government shall not deny or infringe upon a person’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which is the right to make and carry out decisions about reproductive health care, including, but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions.” The amendment goes on to say, “Any denial, interference, delay, or restriction of the right to reproductive freedom shall be presumed invalid.” If the definition of “reproductive freedom” is “not limited” to that extensive list of topics, and “any restriction” to it must be “presumed invalid” by the courts, asking what other topics the proponents have in mind is a fair thing to do. While no one can say how this topic will play out in court, including me, what I can say is voters should always prefer precise language to imprecise language, particularly when inserting laws into our constitution which govern the most serious topic of all – life and death.

Join me in voting no on Amendment 3 and telling out-of-state interests Missourians want Missouri solutions, not a one-size fits all liberal panacea.

Scott Fitzpatrick

Missouri State Auditor

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Lt. Governor Kehoe has one of the most impressive personal stories of anyone to ever serve in Missouri state government. He has more hands on experience around the state, in business, and in state government than perhaps anyone to run for the office since Governor Francis.

Mike Kehoe can personally relate to more parts of this state than anyone we can remember on the ballot. He has lived in St. Louis, ran a Ford dealership in Jefferson City, and owns a cattle ranch in Jerome. Missouri literally exudes from him. Whether urban or rural he has a first hand understanding of our state and its challenges.

Kehoe has served in the executive branch leading The Highway Commission under Governor Blunt. It’s an invaluable experience to have actually been appointed and successfully served as a gubernatorial appointee when you are now the Governor assessing the best applicants to fill these appointments. No other modern candidate for Governor has actually served in a senior appointed role in state government, and no Governor will have the perspective of what is going through those appointee’s minds as they serve the state.

As a state senator Kehoe was quickly elected to senate leadership in his third year and the floor leader by the first year of his second term. There have been several Governors who have previously served in the General Assembly.

However, no Governor since Governors Carnahan and Hearnes have previously served in senior legislative leadership. No one has become Governor that served in Senate leadership since Governor Donnelly. Mike Kehoe has first hand experience in what it takes to move legislation and that will be immensely helpful in unjamming the legislative log jam in the senate.

The Missouri Senate is an exclusive club of the state’s highest deliberative body. There are many parts of the senate that you have to actually be a senator to fully understand. Kehoe has been there, and therefore has a deeper understanding of the challenges and the levers of power in that body.

Mike Kehoe has spent six and a half years working alongside Governor Parson in one of the most successful administrations in Missouri history. He was in the room leading the discussions on the majority of their administration’s legislative achievements. While serving in this role Kehoe has had a unique opportunity to study the job of Governor and make his plans for the state over the next eight years when he takes over.

Perhaps his greatest qualification is his remarkable record in business. He was one of the youngest Ford dealers in America. He has signed both sides of a paycheck, actually created jobs, and personally ran a manufacturing plant right here in the Great State of Missouri.

If you are an angry suburban right winger, Mike Kehoe has the ability to actually pass the legislation that is typically reserved for whining on Facebook. It’s unlikely that he will ever whine enough for some suburban republicans, but he has the unique ability alongside Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin and House Speaker Jon Patterson to accomplish some of the things Missouri republicans have only dreamed of.

It is rare that you have three such remarkable leaders in place all at the same time, much less in the first year of an administration.

While that might not excite Democrats, any loyal Democrat can rest assured that in a Mike Kehoe administration there will be no selling out the state’s future for party hackery. Missouri will get an effective conservative Governor, but Mike Kehoe will not sign off on partisan boondoggles. It’s safe to assume that he will effect all the conservative government that actually adds up.

Those who doubt that need to look no further than six years ago when the state was in peril with a Governor who had no concern whatsoever for the state. Republican Senator Mike Kehoe was one of the first in his party to stand up and call for the republican Governor to resign and save the state from further embarrassment.

That took guts, the same type of guts it takes to speak common sense to extremists on either side.

Crystal Quade would be a fine Governor, anyone can be proud of their vote for her. There is little doubt that her impressive campaign performance has made her the Missouri Democratic Party’s brightest star. Her day will come and that day may very well see her become Governor one day. This state could do much worse.

However, that day is not today. We encourage Missourians of all stripes to cast their vote for Mike Kehoe. Four years from now Missourians won’t regret their decision.

Judicial Retentions 

While at the polls Tuesday, Missourians have the opportunity to affirm three judges who have served the state incredibly well in Supreme Court Judges Kelly Broniec and Ginger Gooch, as well as Western District Court of Appeals Judge Gary Witt.

They are from different parties and different parts of the state. You can agree or disagree with their individual decisions, but no Missourian can honestly question their qualifications or their integrity.

These judges have earned their retention votes. Missouri Republicans can feel confident that their Missouri Plan is now producing conservative judges like Broniec and Gooch. Democrats in the state should be quite wary of a vote not to confirm them.

Currently, you have two Republican judges on the Supreme Court who are balanced and reasoned in their rulings. It’s quite apparent that if either judge isn’t retained you stand a far greater chance of getting an extremist reactionary than you do a judge anywhere near their caliber. Further, liberals in a bright red state should be very wary of starting a retention tit for tat in a state where they are so far outnumbered by conservatives.

In Judge Gary Witt Missourians have one of the most talented and down to earth public servants sitting on one of the highest courts in the state. Judge Witt is a throw back to the days of common sense deal makers from when he was in the House of Representatives. He embodies what is right, and what is fair about the Missouri Judiciary.

Missourians of all partisan divides, and in all corners of the state can confidently retain these judges in another affirmation that their Missouri Plan has again given them a slate of qualified quality judges to affirm.

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