SUNSET HILLS, Mo. (KMOX) - Missouri State Rep. David Gregory has introduced legislation to give an avenue of relief to communities faced with unpopular restrictions from local governments. The bill is in response to St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page's orders to shut down indoor dining, something several lawmakers take exception to.
Rep. Gregory is proposing a 14-member joint committee on government oversight, allowing any resident to file a complaint against an executive order. The complaint would have to be accompanied by a petition with 15% of registered voters of the jurisdiction.
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"I think there needs to be significant support for a situation like this." Gregory said. "15% of registered voters is a big hoop to jump through."
He adds it shouldn't be easy. However, The Sunset Hills Republican believes the current situation with Dr. Page's orders would be able to quickly find the signatures and be presented to the joint committee, following confirmation of the signatures by the County elections office.
"This committee could never implement additional restrictions." Rep. Gregory points out. "All they can do is oversee the current restrictions in place, and either overrule them or uphold them."
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Again, the bill does not aim to restrict local authority too much, but to prevent unpopular rule-making from continuing without the people having any means of putting an end to it, presuming state lawmakers agree with them.
Gregory believes he has support from fellow lawmakers in the State Legislature to pass his bill, but doesn't think the current special session could be extended by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to include it. He's aiming for the regular session that begins in January, with the expectation his bill would be included as a priority.
State Senator Andrew Koenig, representing District 15 southwest of St. Louis, is introducing legislation with limits on local restrictions, and would not allow limitations on religious gatherings. It wold also limit local orders to no longer than two weeks, and businesses under lock down orders would not owe property taxes for that time. Representative BIll Eigel of St. Charles is also introducing a bill to limit executive orders to two weeks.
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