Senator Mike Bernskoetter

6th Senatorial District

For Immediate Release: 

Feb. 1, 2024

Capitol Building, Room 416

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Contact Kenny Ross: 

 573-751-2076

Protecting our Constitution

Through negotiation and compromise the Senate was able to make substantial progress on legislation this week and approve the gubernatorial appointments.

Initiative petition (IP) reform was at the forefront of our discussion this week. The Senate Local Government and Elections Committee passed Senate Joint Resolution 74 on Jan. 30. This IP reform bill will require that the majority of citizens statewide be in favor of an initiative petition as well as the majority of the state house districts. This will help protect interests of Missourians across the state and keep our constitution from being altered too easily.

We will soon discuss the bill on the Senate floor to determine how best to implement the law. Once it is perfected and passed it will move to the House for their deliberation.

Ultimately, whether SJR becomes law or not will depend on you, the voters. If it is approved by the General Assembly, it will then appear on a statewide ballot and you will choose to support or reject this reform.

I’m also proud to announce that all of the governor’s appointments from the 6th Senatorial District who have waited for the Senate’s approval of their positions on various boards and committees are now confirmed. I am excited to see what they will bring to the table as they step into their roles.

I will continue to provide updates as my legislation makes it through committees and into the Senate Chamber to be discussed. Please reach out to my offices if you have any questions or would like to be a witness in any hearings.

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.