Stinson Associates Simplify and Discuss Missouri's Initiative Process on St. Louis' National Council of Jewish Women Podcast

03.04.2024

Stinson LLP attorneys Greta Bax and Alixandra Cossette are featured on the Show Me Shenanigans podcast from the National Council of Jewish Women – St. Louis discussing Missouri's initiative process and current reforms in the state's legislature.

In the "We The People" episode, the attorneys emphasize the importance of understanding the initiative process, including timing and the role citizen-led efforts play in influencing change and how it protects citizens' rights.

"This is a powerful opportunity to, as a citizen, be able to directly petition your government. It's an important right that citizens in Missouri have," Bax said. " It's important that citizens have a voice in the process." She emphasizes that the state's initiative petition process has recently enabled "real, grassroots citizen-led efforts" to be drafted and included on Missouri ballots, including minimum wage increases, defeat of Right to Work and Medicaid expansion.

The attorneys also highlight the historical nature of Missouri laws and how the state's constitution can be changed.

"When you're faced with the question of whether or not to change the initiative process, remember that your vote counts just as much as everybody else's vote right now. If you want to change the initiative petition process, only one in five Missourians will have an opportunity to veto anything that the majority of Missourians want," Cossette said. "That's what voters should think about when they go to the ballots."

Bax and Cossette's past work in both chambers of the Missouri legislature directly informs their current legal practices, focusing on administrative law and counseling clients on the intersection of law and public policy. They also advise clients on legislative and regulatory matters, including election law and campaign finance.

Listen to the full episode.