Ballot Initiative Faces Legal Challenge

Opponents of one of the six initiatives that could appear on the November ballot are trying to nip the effort in the bud. It’s the proposal that would limit the growth of government spending without prior approval of the Legislature. Attorney Chuck Hatfield represents former State Public Safety Director Gary Kempker – an opponent of the initiative. Hatfield says changing the spending process in this way would be unconstitutional. Hatfield, who is representing former Missouri Public Safety Director Gary Kempker, says the Constitution could be amended to allow for such changes. But he insists the current effort would simply short circuit that amendment process with a quick fix allowing money to be set aside.