CAPITOL REPORT
DALE WRIGHT
DISTRICT 116
MISSOURI HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
October 9, 2026
Dear Friends,
As we look ahead to the November 3rd General Election, I want to share information
regarding the various constitutional amendments that will appear on the ballot. These
amendments give us all an opportunity to have a direct voice in decisions that may
shape our state’s future. I encourage each of you to take the time to review the issues,
become informed, and exercise your right and privilege as a U.S. citizen by making your
voice heard at the ballot box on November 3rd.
Constitutional Amendments Before Missouri Voters in November
In addition to choosing candidates for federal, state and local offices, Missouri voters
will have the opportunity to consider four proposed constitutional amendments and one
proposition during Nov. 3, 2026, election. These amendments propose changes to the
Missouri Constitution and must be approved by voters before taking effect.
The following measures will appear on the November 3rd ballot:
Amendment 3
Amendment 3 is a good common-sense compromise on both sides of the abortion issue.
The amendment proposes repealing the current constitutional provision which allows
unrestricted abortions, in every case, even abortions through fetal viability. Amendment
3, however, would still allow abortions but only in cases involving medical emergencies,
rape or incest, as well as certain fetal anomalies. It also requires parental or judicial
consent for abortions involving minors and restricts public funding for abortions.
Amendment 3 also prohibits gender transition procedures for minors, subject to certain
medical exceptions.
Amendment 6
Amendment 6 proposes changes to Missouri’s initiative and referendum process. It
would restrict the General Assembly’s ability to change or repeal laws approved through
initiative petitions or enact similar laws after voters reject them through referendum.
Such changes would require approval from at least 80% of each legislative chamber
before being submitted to voters. The proposal would also allow courts to revise ballot
summaries and preserve existing petition signature requirements and statewide
majority-vote thresholds.
Amendment 7
Amendment 7 proposes creating the “Show-Me Prosperity Fund,” a permanent public
endowment intended to generate enough investment earnings to support operating state
government. The proposal would restrict the General Assembly’s ability to appropriate or
divert money from the fund and establish conditions under which investment earnings
could eventually replace revenue from state-imposed taxes. The measure would not
immediately eliminate taxes and attempts to achieve the same result as Amendment 5,
which was soundly defeated in the August primary election.
Amendment 8
Amendment 8 constitutionally requires all counties to elect sheriffs every four years,
places certain duties currently established by statute into the Constitution, and states
that elected sheriffs may be removed from their position only through an initiative
initiated by the Missouri Attorney General.
Proposition A
Proposition A asks voters whether to approve the new congressional district boundaries
passed by the General Assembly in 2025. A “yes” vote would approve the new
boundaries, while a “no” vote would leave the current congressional districts, enacted in
2022, in place. Official ballot language and additional election information are available
through the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office and local election authorities.
Statewide Human Trafficking Council Established
Missouri has established a new statewide council to coordinate efforts against human
trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children, implementing legislation
approved by the General Assembly earlier this year. The Statewide Council Against Adult
Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children was established within
the Missouri Attorney General’s Office as required by House Bill 2273, which took effect
Aug. 28. The council brings together representatives from state agencies, the General
Assembly, law enforcement, the judiciary, health care and organizations involved in anti-
trafficking efforts.
The council will make recommendations for Missouri’s response to trafficking and
oversee efforts to improve coordination among agencies and organizations. It will also
include a specialized committee responsible for developing training standards and
resources for professionals who may encounter trafficking victims. House Bill 2273 also
establishes trafficking-training requirements for several professions beginning in 2027,
including law enforcement officers, juvenile officers, prosecutors and certain health
care and social-service professionals.
State Audit Identifies Repeat Issues in Management of Federal Funds
A state audit has identified several recurring issues with how Missouri agencies manage
federal funding, including oversight of Medicaid programs, disaster assistance and
federal money distributed to local organizations.
Missouri state agencies managed and spent approximately $20.5 billion in federal funds
during Fiscal Year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office reviewed 21 major federal programs
accounting for approximately $16 billion in expenditures and identified 16 findings, nine
of which had been reported in previous audits.
Auditors identified weaknesses in how several agencies monitored more than $569
million passed through to other organizations. The audit also identified continued
problems with reimbursements through the Child and Adult Care Food Program and
monitoring of federal disaster-assistance funds.
Eight of the audit’s 16 findings involved the administration of Medicaid and the Children’s
Health Insurance Program. Auditors identified issues involving duplicate enrollment,
delays in eligibility determinations and redeterminations, and other internal controls. As
of May 2025, auditors found 9,834 participants enrolled in two eligibility systems, while a
separate backlog included approximately 85,000 participants awaiting required eligibility
redeterminations as of December 2025.
Missouri Awards $35 Million for Rural Healthcare Improvements
Missouri has awarded approximately $35 million to 20 projects aimed at improving
healthcare facilities and services in rural communities. The grants are being distributed
through the Strategic Minor Renovations Program, part of Missouri’s federally funded
Rural Health Transformation Program. Funding can be used for projects including facility
improvements, building-system upgrades and new diagnostic equipment intended to
help rural hospitals maintain essential healthcare services.
Projects were selected through a competitive process that considered factors including
the need for the proposed improvements, readiness to begin work and the project’s long-
term sustainability.
The funding is part of a broader federal investment in rural healthcare. Missouri received
approximately $216 million for the first year of its Rural Health Transformation Program,
which supports efforts to improve access to healthcare and strengthen rural health
systems across the state. A complete list of the 20 projects receiving funding is available
through the Missouri Department of Social Services.
Fall Colors at the Governor’s Mansion
Hoping you can all take the time to enjoy our beautiful fall weather. Our best to you!
Nancy Suthoff