Initiative Petition Lawsuits Pushed to July

A legal challenge to the constitutionality of an initiative petition that would limit the growth of state government spending is on hold until next month. Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan is tieing this lawsuit to two related cases. The group Missourians in Charge, which brought forward the spending initiative and one dealing with eminent domain, is challenging Secretary of State Robin Carnahan’s decision to reject the signatures that were submitted for both proposals. Judge Callahan met with lawyers on Monday, telling them he wants to hold an evidentiary hearing into the Missourians in Charge challenge before proceeding with the constitutional argument suit. That hearing is scheduled for July 14th.