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Members of the Clean Missouri Campaign stop in Sikeston to endorse Amendment 1
SIKESTON — Members of the Clean Missouri Campaign made a stop in Sikeston Thursday as they began a tour through Southeast Missouri to endorse the Amendment 1 ballot initiative voters will decide in the Nov. 6 election.
Angie Dunlap of St. Louis, League of Women Voters of Missouri; Patricia McBride, secretary of the Missouri NAACP and of the Cape Girardeau NAACP Chapter; and Benjamin Singer of St. Louis with Clean Missouri each took a turn to speak briefly as they stood outside of the Sikeston City Hall Thursday morning.
The individuals encouraged Missourians to vote yes on Amendment 1 to “clean up Missouri politics.” Both the League of Women Voters of Missouri and the local NAACP chapter endorse Amendment 1.
“Lobbyists, big donors and small groups of political insiders have too much control and influence over Missouri state government, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” Dunlap said. “The League of Women Voters of Missouri is proud to endorse Amendment 1 because it is an opportunity to make our state government more transparent and limit the power of lobbyists and big money donors in our Legislature.”
Dunlap said Amendment 1 will: eliminate almost all lobbyist gifts in the General Assembly; require that legislative records be open to the public; stop state politicians form becoming lobbyists shortly after leaving office; lower campaign contribution limits for state legislative candidates and close a loophole that allows big donors to funnel unlimited money through unlimited political action committees; and ensure neither political party is given an unfair advantage when new maps are drawn after the next census by requiring a nonpartisan expert to draw fair legislative district maps, which would then be reviewed by a citizen commission.
The League formally adopted a position that political and racial gerrymandering distorts and undermines representative democracy by allowing officials to select voters, rather than allowing voters to elect their officials.
“We often see elected officials taking stances that do not reflect our views because these politicians, and the wealthy donors who bankroll their campaigns have never had to live in the same shoes of the folks back home they’re supposed to represent,” McBride said.
Amendment 1 levels the playing field, making it easier for citizens to run for office, McBride said.
“We have the power this November to stand up for each other and our democracy by voting for Amendment 1 to make life better for all families — black, white and brown,” McBride said.
Singer concluded the stop by saying hew as there because fellow bipartisan ethics reformers are supporting Amendment 1 to “clean up Missouri politics.”
“There is too much corruption and secrecy in Missouri government,” Singer said. “Taxpayers are on the hook for legal bills and handouts to special interests. This should concern all of us: our values and politicians’ campaign promises are ignored in the quest for huge checks and political power.”
Singer said Amendment 1 will increase transparency and give Missouri more competitive elections. Since 2004, lobbyists with business before the state have given legislators nearly $900,000 a year in liquor, steak dinners and trips to Las Vegas. This amendment would eliminate all expensive lobbyist gifts to legislators, he said.
Amendment 1 will institute other need ethics reforms, Singer said.
“Together we can take power away from special interests, make our legislature more transparent and ensure we can hold our legislators accountable when they fail to act in the public interest,” Singer said. “It’s time to put Missourians before lobbyists.”
Dunlap, McBride and Singer also planned on Thursday to make stops in Dexter and Kennett.