It would be tougher to amend the state constitution under the provisions of a couple of resolutions being considered in the House. Rep. Cynthia Davis (R-O’Fallon) reminds members of the House Elections Committee that Missouri is a Republic, not a Democracy, which she equates with mob rule. And Davis says it’s too easy to change the state constitution through initiative petition. She says Missouri is one of only 14 states that allow its constitution to be changed at the polls through a simple majority. Davis sponsors HJR 18 wants Missouri to adopt the two-thirds standard, which would force those who want to change the constitution to get nearly 67% approval at the polls.
Davis also wants to ban paid signature gatherers, arguing that big money is behind most initiative campaigns. That is a charge John Coffman with Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation finds odd. He tells the committee special interests too often control the legislature and the initiative petition provides a means for groups to go directly to the people with issues they care about.
Another resolution ( HJR 4 ) would change the majority needed to change the constitution to 60%.
