Yesterday, the House Elections Committee voted 10–5 to advance the Governor’s chosen version of IP Reform, House Joint Resolution 3 (HJR 3), with a House Committee Substitute. Chairman Reedy reported the measure “Do Pass with House Committee Substitute,” with Republicans lining up in support and Democrats in opposition.
But make no mistake: this bill is not what it’s advertised to be. Governor Kehoe and the establishment are trying to sell Missourians a lemon, and grassroots conservatives see through the fresh coat of paint.
What Changed in the Committee Substitute?
The new HCS for HJR 3 retains the core framework of the bill — banning foreign money (only from adversaries, not all foreign contributions) in ballot measures, criminalizing petition signature fraud, requiring approval in each congressional district, and providing voters with the full text of measures.
But it makes a critical change in timing:
- Original bill: required public hearings before petitions were circulated to voters.
- Committee Substitute: delays hearings until after signatures are submitted and before the measure is placed on the ballot.
This shift makes the “public hearing” provision little more than window dressing — voters have no chance to weigh in until it’s far too late. The substitute also tweaks wording (“individual voter” → “voter”) and explicitly gives the Secretary of State rulemaking authority.
Ron Calzone Sounds the Alarm
Grassroots leader Ron Calzone (with Missouri First) gave powerful testimony against this version of HJR 3, warning lawmakers that it undermines basic American principles:
- The initiative petition is a fundamental right — a “reserved power” of the people.
- HJR 3 creates a double standard: the legislature can still place constitutional amendments on the ballot with a simple majority, while citizens face a higher hurdleRon Calzone on HJR 3.
- The bill represents a “shift of power to the government” and effectively guts the people’s check on unresponsive lawmakersRon Calzone on HJR 3.
- Calzone reminded the committee that making it harder for citizens while keeping it easy for politicians is “not a conservative thing either.”
The Bottom Line
HJR 3, even with its committee substitute, is not real reform. It’s a political stunt dressed up as protecting voters, when in reality it weakens the people’s voice and shifts more power to Jefferson City insiders.
Governor Kehoe may want to play the slick salesman, but no matter how he pitches it, HJR 3 is a clunker.