Jefferson City - Four Missouri taxpayers have filed a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) in Cole County Circuit Court, seeking to stop state officials from violating the state constitution by requiring combined tax returns from certain same-sex couples, pursuant to an executive order issued by Gov. Jay Nixon last fall. The motion for a TRO is the next step in the legal process which started in January this year when the four plaintiffs filed a lawsuit naming the governor and … [Read more...]
Impeachment articles filed against Gov. Jay Nixon over same-sex tax returns
JEFFERSON CITY – A Missouri state representative has filed articles of impeachment against Governor Jay Nixon, citing his November 2013 executive order instructing the state’s Department of Revenue to accept combined tax returns filed by same-sex couples from state’s permitting “gay marriage,” the Associated Press reports. Representative Nick Marshall, a Republican from Parkville, filed the articles Feb. 5 telling reporters Nixon’s order is contrary to the Missouri Constitution, which … [Read more...]
Attorney defending Hobby Lobby to speak at Worldview Conference
HANNIBAL – Joshua Hawley, associate professor of law at the University of Missouri, will speak at the Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) annual Worldview Conference here, April 3, less than two weeks after he stands before the United States Supreme Court in a landmark case on religious liberty. Hawley serves on the legal team that will defend Hobby Lobby before the Supreme Court, March 25. The Green family – the Southern Baptist owners of Hobby Lobby – filed a lawsuit against the … [Read more...]
Four Missourians sue governor for same-sex marriage order
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Four Missouri taxpayers filed a lawsuit on Jan. 8 challenging Missouri Governor Jay Nixon’s recent executive order that permitted some same-sex couples to file a Missouri combined income tax return as “husband” and “wife” for 2013, in spite of a 2004 state constitutional amendment which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. The lawsuit challenges Executive Order 13-14 as being unconstitutional, and alleges that the governor is trying to thwart the will … [Read more...]
First Baptist, Oak Grove, distributes 3,000 Bibles
OAK GROVE – First Baptist Church, Oak Grove, distributed 3,000 “Find it Here” New Testaments to their community under the leadership of Pastor Randy Messer. Messer shared this vision with nearby Grace Baptist, and together the churches mobilized a number of distribution teams. They planned to distribute the New Testaments to every home in Oak Grove, so the churches stuffed bags with the New Testaments and invitations to several events, such as Vacation Bible School. “A student in one … [Read more...]
Missouri leaders: ENDA threatens religious liberty
WASHINGTON – In a move that many believe could jeopardize religious liberty, the United States Senate passed legislation that will protect homosexual and transgendered individuals from discrimination under federal employment law. According to the bill, employers cannot discriminate against employees or potential employees on the basis of “sexual orientation” or “gender identity,” which were added alongside the protected classifications of race, color, national origin, gender, age and … [Read more...]
Missouri law deals blow to telemedicine abortions
JEFFERSON CITY – Though they are the law of the land just to the north in Iowa, “telemedicine” abortions will not be coming to Missouri. Gov. Jay Nixon chose to take no action on House Bill 400, which allows it to become law effective Aug. 28. without his signature. Sponsored by Rep. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, and Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, it passed the Missouri House 115-39, and the Senate 23-7. Nixon, a Democrat, used the “no action” approach in 2010 and 2011 to allow other … [Read more...]
State’s legislative Session yields several victories
JEFFERSON CITY – In addition to pro-life victories reported in the May 21 edition of The Pathway, Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission (CLC) saw success regarding many facets of Christian living during the 2013 General Assembly. “The CLC has not been sitting by idle,” said Kerry Messer, CLC lobbyist. “As ambassadors of Christ and representing the CLC, it’s our responsibility to be salt and light in every area of conduct.” Among the battles fought and won was the passage … [Read more...]
A visit with Missouri’s Speaker of the House
On May 30 I had the pleasure of meeting with Missouri Speaker of the House Tim Jones. In April, the Eureka Republican – in a remarkable visit to the Baptist Building – spoke to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board. His remarks were informative and warmly received, despite being a new name on the Missouri political scene to some. I was unable to attend because of my kidney surgery, so the occasion to visit with him – at his invitation – at his office was a welcomed … [Read more...]
Pro-life bills finish strong as session ends at Capitol
JEFFERSON CITY – Pro-life issues gained considerable ground during the 2013 session of Missouri’s General Assembly which ended May 17. In its final week, the Legislature passed House Bill 400 (HB 400) which requires the same safety features for chemical abortions as exist for surgical abortions; that is, a medical doctor with hospital privileges must be physically present in the room when a woman takes the medication to abort her baby. Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist … [Read more...]
Race to kill gambling bill nears finish line
JEFFERSON CITY – With just days remaining in this year’s General Assembly, Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) churches are being urged to contact their state senators and ask them to vote against House Bill 747 (HB 747). HB 747 was sponsored by Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst, R-St. Louis. Its purpose is to permit casinos to accept credit cards and other credit instruments from gamblers in exchange for chips, tokens, or electronic tokens that can be used to continue their gambling after their cash … [Read more...]
Liquor control bills seek balance
JEFFERSON CITY – Much of the state’s public policy may be contingent on the outcome of two liquor control bills before the General Assembly which address liquor law regulations struck down earlier by a federal judge. Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission, said Missouri Baptist churches should take note and, preferably take action. Missouri’s regulatory structure divides the industry into three basic categories – producers, distributors and … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- …
- 22
- Next Page »