We the People of Johnson County Missouri, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 - Senator Mike Moons' "Take" on the Senate Activities.
Hi Folks!
Yesterday I gave a synopsis of what’s happening in Jeff City. Today, I’ll share with you Senator Mike Moon’s “take” on the situation. If you don’t subscribe to Senator Moon’s Newsletter, you can do that at the bottom of the page. It’s always clear and concise. Love it!!
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The (Seemingly) Never-ending Back-and-Forth
Here’s the link to the MO Senate Audio for January 29, 2024:
https://media.senate.mo.gov/DebateArchive/2024/012924.mp3
Fast forward to minute 7 to hear an exchange between Senators Cierpiot (pronounced: Seer-poy) and Eigel. (You may recall from a past report that the Missouri Senate prohibits referring to a sitting senator by name – first or last. Senators are typically identified by the County in which they reside or their district number. In addition, unlike the MO House, there are no ladies or gentlemen – only senators.)
The Republican Party Platform
Senator Mike Cierpiot was the chairman for the Republican Party Platform in 2020. During the back and forth with Senator Bill Eigel on January 29, 2024, he mentioned that initiative petition (I.P.) reform wasn’t in the 2020 Party Platform.
This mention occurs at approximately minute 24. Again, at minute 28:25, Senator Cierpiot states that I.P. is not in the platform.
At the mention of this, I opened my copy of the 2020 GOP Platform and turned to the page which stated that I.P. reform was, indeed, in the platform. When the inquiry ended, I approached Senator Cierpiot. I asked him if the copy of the platform I was holding was the current copy. He took the copy, turned to the back page, and pointed to his name, he was apparently proud that he was the Chairman of the Platform. Then, he stated that it was indeed the current platform.
I, then, turned to the section which included I.P. reform. Senator Cierpiot then asked, "Where is that!?!?"
Here’s the link to the platform:
https://missouri.gop/about/platform/freedom/
Scroll down to the section: Protecting the Integrity of Elections, point number six and you’ll see the mention of I.P. reform.
https://missouri.gop/about/platform/committee/
Stop Reading that Book
When I was in the House, following session one evening, I was in my office when the leaders of the House came to my office. Then Majority Floor Leader Mike Cierpiot was among the group. As we chatted, I brought up a question I had regarding the Constitution. I suspected some of the bills we were voting on violated the Missouri Constitution. Representative Cierpiot, told me (I took it in jest), “You need to stop reading that book.”
In time, I realized that the statement was not a joke.
More of What’s Going On in the Missouri Senate
I’ve reported on the urgency of I.P. reform. We will begin the sixth week of session tomorrow. Some onlookers (and, perhaps some within the MO Senate) say that bills dealing with I.P. would have been referred if senators had not filibustered. If we’re honest with ourselves, numerous opportunities existed during which the Senate Joint Resolutions could have been referred. Since they were not referred, however, Senate rules exist and were used to force the referrals.
Part of the ‘Rest of the Story’
Here’s a link to a Capitol Report from 2021:
https://mailchi.mp/6ccb9d543fdc/veto-session-2021
The report provides a bit of information about the problem and the solution I'm advocating for.
The reason for my filibuster on Monday, January 29, 2024, can be found, beginning on the audio archive at minute 57.
Will Money Stolen From Missouri Business Owners be Returned?
As a result of my short four and one-half hour filibuster, several conversations were conducted – with the governor, with senators, and some outside influencers – with the express purpose of restoring money stolen from businesses. The money has yet to be returned.
This effort may be the last opportunity I have to advocate for business owners. It’s unfortunate that it hinged upon a former senator’s appointment. However, I cannot go away without at least trying….
Success on Other Fronts
As a result of standing (by several senators), the I.P. reform legislation has now been heard in committee, voted ‘do pass’ by the committee, and placed on the Senate Formal Calendar. It’s in the third spot – on the Formal Calendar, legislation must be taken up in order. Because of the purpose of the bills in the first two spots, unless the bills are ‘laid over’ to the Informal Calendar (where they can be taken up out of order), it could be a while before the I.P. legislation is taken up for debate.
The remaining days of the week were uneventful.
Please Share
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Archives
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