ST. LOUIS — Members of Freedom Principle MO have set their sites on a wide array of key issues they will expect lawmakers to address during the new 2024 legislative session, including proposing a ban on electronic voting machines and the elimination of personal property tax.
Freedom Principle MO members see the 2024 election year as a stepping stone to advance their top legislative issues for the new year while claiming their dissatisfaction with state leaders during the previous legislative session.
"These priorities were voted on by our members and are the top issues we will be discussing with Missouri lawmakers in 2024," Freedom Principle MO President Byron Keelin said in a statement.
"We were so dissatisfied with the House and Senate leadership last session," Keelin said in a recent press release. "Hopefully with this being an election year, Speaker Plocher and Senate President Rowden will do a better job of bringing key pieces of legislation to the floor to allow them to be voted on by our legislature."
According to the Freedom Principle MO release, members laid out eight primary issues they will bring to state lawmakers. The top issue listed by the organization is passing Concurrent Majority Ratification, which would require amendments to also be approved by a majority of voters in at least half of the House Districts and which the group says will protect the Missouri Constitution.
Other top issues Freedom Principle MO members voted to address are banning all electronic voting and tabulation machines and the support of a petition to ban "rank choice and "approval style" voting. Members are also asking lawmakers to return control of the. St. Louis City Metropolitan Police Department to the State Board of Commissions.
Gender identity is also in the forefront of issues members say they want state lawmakers to address. According to the Freedom Principle MO, members support a Parents' Bill of Rights that would prohibit school officials from encouraging minor students to "adopt a gender identity or sexual orientation without parental consent."
The organizations' members also hope to work with lawmakers on eliminating the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and "allow parents to choose the best education for their children," according to the release.
In medical and health care issues, the Freedom Principle MO says it supports passing legislation that would require the labeling of any products or food that contains mRNA or "gene-altering therapies."
The group also touched on environmental issues and taxes and say they oppose using any taxpayer funds for "green energy boondoggles like EV charging stations, windmills and solar panels," according to the release. The elimination of personal property taxes is also an issue members say they support.
"Our members are committed to working with legislators on our key legislative priorities this session," Keelin said in the release. "It's time for our legislature to put its supermajority to work and pass legislation that puts Missourians first."