JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – House Speaker Dean Plocher today praised his colleagues for approving a measure that will allow voters to decide if the threshold for changing the Missouri Constitution should be raised. By a vote of 108-50, the Missouri House of Representatives approved HJR 43 and sent the proposed constitutional change to the Senate for consideration.
“Our constitution is meant to be a sacred document but is now one that has grown dramatically in size because of out-of-state interests that have spent millions of dollars here in Missouri to change our way of life,” said Plocher, R-St. Louis. “I want to thank my colleagues that supported this change that will give voters the chance to minimize the influence of dark money and magnify the voices of Missourians from all parts of the state.”
Sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Mike Henderson, HJR 43 would change the threshold required to approve changes to the state constitution. Currently, changes to the constitution require only a simple majority for approval. If approved by the legislature and voters, HJR 43 would raise the threshold to 60 percent voter approval for passage.
In discussion on the House floor, Henderson pointed out the current version of the Missouri Constitution has changed more than 60 times since it was written in 1945. In comparison, the United States Constitution has been amended only 17 times since 1791.
Like Plocher, Henderson said he hopes the increased threshold will help minimize the influence of out-of-state groups that have no ties to Missouri but spend millions of dollars to change the state constitution.
“These groups don’t have the best interests of Missourians in mind as they try to reimagine Missouri in their vision,” said Henderson, R-Desloge. “HJR 43 will help ensure when we change our state constitution that it is in the vision of the people of the state of Missouri.”
The legislation also requires that voters in each congressional district have the opportunity to review and comment upon all initiative petitions proposing amendments to the constitution. The secretary of state would administer the public forums, which would take place at least 15 days before the measure appears on the ballot.
Henderson said “This would require that you go into all eight congressional districts and give people a chance to have their voice heard and submit testimony. We’re trying to give them a greater voice and give them a chance also to find out everything that’s in the amendments they are voting on.”
Plocher and Henderson said the goal of HJR 43 is to protect the voices of registered Missouri voters in every part of the state, and that ultimately voters will decide if the change is a good idea.
“We’re going to ask the people to vote,” said Henderson. “The people of Missouri will decide if we are right or wrong. We are not overstepping the people. We are going to the people and asking them to say what is your opinion of this? Should it be changed to 60 percent?”
The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration. If approved by both chambers, it will be placed on the ballot for voter approval.