Missouri lawmakers have kicked off a special session to address congressional redistricting and potential reforms to the state’s initiative petition process.

Missouri

Missouri legislators have commenced a special session focused on redrawing the state's congressional boundaries. The proposed map would shift parts of Kansas City and several rural counties into District 4, while District 5 would extend from Eastern Jackson County to the Lake of the Ozarks, expanding beyond the current Kansas City metropolitan area.

The redistricting effort has drawn criticism from Democrats, who argue the changes could dilute community representation and reduce Black representation in Congress. Republicans, who hold a significant majority in the legislature, support the map as a way to reflect Missouri's values in Washington, D.C. Despite Democratic opposition and procedural objections, the Republican majority is expected to advance the legislation.

Missouri legislators begin special session on redistricting

One other news over the next several days, Missouri legislators will decide on changing the state's congressional boundaries, which would potentially change who represents you. The special session started today in Jefferson City. The House released this map you're looking at on your screen, which shows the proposed redistricting. You can take a look at District 4 and 5. This new map gives a sliver of Kansas City and about a dozen of Missouri's more rural counties to District 4 and then District 5 would extend from Eastern Jackson County all the way to the lake of the Ozarks instead of what's currently just the Casey Metro. This community is a lot different than down there. As far as the population we have, I find it difficult to believe that a representative could possibly know all of the issues that are affecting Kansas City and and individuals who live in Southern Missouri. And as a voice for everyone, we've heard from several residents in those impacted districts today. Our political reporter Charlie Keegan spent the day in Jefferson City to hear from both sides of the aisle. Wednesday session lasted about one minute. It was mostly administrative, allowing legislators to file new bills, including one to redraw congressional lines. It's part of President. It looks like we're having just a little bit of trouble actually airing that story right now, but we'll be sure to check back in with Charlie Keegan and here we go. We've got this story here for you to see when he went to Jefferson City today. Wednesday session lasted about one minute. It was mostly administrative, allowing legislators to file new bills, including one to redraw congressional lines. It's part of President Trump's strategy to keep Republicans in control of the US House. In Missouri, Governor Mike Kehoe has repeated his goal. Make sure Missouri's values are reflected in Washington DC. What do you think are some good Missouri conservative value here in the heartland? We're we're about. Families and. Business Democrats say the new map is designed to push Emanuel Cleaver out of office. I think it would be devastating right now. The far eastern edge of Congressman Cleaver's district is Route 7, which goes through Blue Springs right here, the state capital, and some areas even South of Jefferson City would be in the new redrawn 5th district. That's more than 175 miles away from Blue Springs, and I think that when we split a community up so much, not only that, but dilute the representation in Congress and remove black representation in Congress. Like I said, those are. Those are the things that that should really concern Missouri. Democrats say their strategy. This special session is to get in the way. They argued not enough legislators were present to conduct business Wednesday. Then they choreographed a delivery to the governor's office with a list of reasons they disagree with this proposal. It was political theater. Republicans carry such a large majority. They don't even need a single Democrat to vote yes in order to pass this legislation in Jefferson City. Charlie Keegan KSHB 41 news.

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