A Jefferson City judge is considering several issues regarding Proposition A – which is officially known as the Schools First Elementary and Secondary Education Funding Initiative, but might be better known as the Gambling Loss Limits Initiative.
Among the arguments entertained by Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan is one calling into question the title of the initiative and another questioning whether there might be a violation of the so-called Hammerschmidt rule – a constitutional requirement that any provision of any bill must relate to the original purpose and title of that bill.
Attorney Chuck Hatfield, representing the backers of the initiative, suggested it would be wrong for the judge to stop the initiative from being voted on, saying a challenge could always come if the proposal is approved. Attorney Robert Buckley, representing the plaintiffs who are trying to have the initiative removed from the ballot, argues the single subject of this initiative deals with the regulation of gambling, and to mix that with education would create a Hammerschmidt violation by having a measure with multiple subjects.
Judge Callahan has asked that all attorneys in the case submit proposed judgments by Friday afternoon at 4:30.
Download/Listen: Cole County Circuit Court arguments (1:30:00 MP3)