A hearing takes place today in the lawsuit against the Secretary of State, over the ballot language written for an issue that would bar state officials from creating a state health insurance exchange without legislative or voter approval.  Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green will hear the arguments.

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder and Secretary of State Robin Carnahan

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder filed that suit, saying that ballot language is biased. “Tomorrow we’re going for a temporary restraining order asking the court to restrain the Secretary of State from moving forward with the ballot language. That’s a preliminary measure to stop further progress on that issue so that we can get to the merits of the issue (in the next hearing.)”

The hearing is also over consideration of a temporary injunction. Kinder says, “We’re holding our pants up with belt and suspenders both.”

Kinder says he hopes a decision will be made soon in the case. “We need it quickly because of the need to print military ballots … absentees and get them out.”

The Republican-led legislature voted this year to put that issue to voters.

A summary judgement hearing in the case is scheduled for August 28.