Missouri Supreme Court

A Missouri judge struck down most state abortion regulations, allowing access to medication abortion for the first time since 2018. The ruling upheld requirements for in-person doctor consultations and physician-performed abortions, while the state plans to appeal the decision. Planned Parenthood announced it will resume offering medication abortion appointments next week.

The Missouri Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal over the ballot summary for Amendment 5, which would allow lawmakers to increase sales tax to replace income tax. The decision upholds revised summary language from an appeals court, finalizing the version voters will see on the August 4 ballot. Proponents, including Governor Mike Kehoe, support the measure, while opponents argue it would impose higher taxes on everyday goods and services.

A Missouri appeals court upheld the inclusion of Amendment 5, a tax overhaul proposal, on the Aug. 4 ballot but required a revised summary for voters. The amendment would tie income tax cuts to revenue growth triggers and allow a five-year window for expanding sales taxes. The decision allows the measure to remain on the ballot but mandates changes to its summary before the final court deadline.

The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously upheld Governor Mike Kehoe's authority to call lawmakers into a special session for congressional redistricting and initiative petition changes. The court ruled the Missouri Constitution grants the governor unlimited discretion to convene the General Assembly on 'extraordinary occasions.' The NAACP of Missouri had challenged the session's legitimacy, arguing it lacked urgency, but the court rejected the challenge.

A lawsuit seeks to compel Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to decide if a referendum challenging the state's new congressional map qualifies for the November ballot before the August 4 primary. The political action committee People Not Politicians claims Hoskins and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway are delaying a decision, while Hoskins argues he needs the full allotted time to review petitions that may meet constitutional thresholds.

Vice President JD Vance praised efforts to strengthen manufacturing in the U.S. during a Kansas City event at Milbank Manufacturing, highlighting job growth and criticizing Democratic policies. He also discussed Missouri’s redistricting maps approved by the state’s Supreme Court and urged support for Republican candidates in the 5th District.

The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a Republican-friendly congressional map, expected to give the GOP an additional House seat in the midterms. The court unanimously rejected challenges to the map after hearing oral arguments. This decision is likely to impact the upcoming elections.

The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a GOP-supported congressional map, rejecting claims it violated the state constitution. Legal challenges to gerrymandering are shifting to state courts following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana vs. Callais, which weakened protections against racial gerrymandering. State courts in multiple jurisdictions may now determine the validity of new redistricting maps.