Math Mistake Could Toss Ballot Initiative

A court hearing to determine whether an initiative petition to limit the growth of state government spending should appear on November’s ballot is underway in a Cole County courtroom in Jefferson City. Attorneys representing opponents of the initiative are arguing on several points, including one that claims the wording of the petition signed by supporters had the incorrect financial information. Lawyer Chuck Hatfield says this means the initiative must be tossed out. The mistake was made when the fiscal note – the cost – was being determined by the State Auditor’s Office. Hatfield says it doesn’t matter that the petitioners did nothing wrong and that the mistake was made by a state office … the petition must go. The hearing began Tuesday and resumes Wednesday afternoon.