KC Democrat: Greitens dark money group pours $500,000 into effort to make Missouri right to work

(From Rep. Ingrid Burnett, D-Kansas City)

On Friday, 5/11, a filibuster led by Senate Democrats failed to prevent moving the vote on “Right To Work” from the November ballot to the August Primary ballot. 

Proposition A, is the product of a referendum petition drive, signed by over 300,000 Missouri registered voters to force a statewide vote on Senate Bill 19, which was passed early on in the 2017 session. 

It is interesting to note that a second political action committee called Freedom to Work, attempted to gather signatures to petition a competing ballot initiative to enshrine “Right to Work” in the Missouri State Constitution. It was after they couldn’t collect enough signatures when the Senate voted to move Prop A to August when voter turnout is typically lower, and they don’t risk losing to a Democrat if a higher number of Labor supporters (who tend to poll Democrat) turn out to vote on it. 

What happened next should raise the hair on the back of your neck. 

On Friday afternoon, the House endorsed HJR 79, filed by Rep Brattin (R). HJR 79 would also require voter approval as it calls for a constitutional amendment that would make Missouri a right-to-work state. 

Helping to sponsor the Freedom to Work PAC is none other than A New Missouri, a dark money group who donated $500,000 to Freedom to Work just last week. A New Missouri is also affiliated with Eric Greitens who is under investigation for ethics violations and criminal charges. If HJR 79 clears the Senate, it is not clear which ballot that language will go on.

For more information see this story from the St. Louis Post Dispatch.