Bill Regulates Initiative Process
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Bill Regulates Initiative Process

Date: March 31, 2008
By: Stephanie Levy
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: Interest groups representing businesses and gun rights testified in favor of a bill that would put tougher restrictions on ballot petitions.

Stephanie Levy (Lee-vee) has more from Jefferson City.

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The bill would require all petition circulators in the state to be Missouri citizens.

National Rifle Association spokesperson Whitney O'Daniel said other states have benefited from these kinds of regulations.

 

Actuality:  ODANIEL.WAV
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Description: We truly believe the legislative process and the initiative process should begin and end in the state of Missouri, represented by the residents of the state.

The bill would also prohibit petitioners from being paid for every signature they collect. The bill's sponsor, Republican Representative Mike Parson, says these new restrictions would cut down on election fraud.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Stephanie Levy.

Intro: The Senate Finance committee heard a bill that would toughen regulations for ballot petitions.

Stephanie Levy (Lee-vee) has more from Jefferson City.

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The bill would require petitioners to be Missouri citizens. The measure would also prohibit paying petitioners for each signature they collect.

Republican Representative Mike Parson, who sponsored the bill, says these restrictions would discourage petitioners from acting like salesmen.

Actuality:  PARSON2.WAV
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Description: I think that just makes the system maybe just a little bit more cleaner that you actually have knowledge of what the issue is you're trying to promote, and hopefully if we're going to change Missouri law we can do it with our own Missouri people.


Parson says the bill would encourage Missourians to get involved in the initiative process.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Stephanie Levy.