Missouri’s Unwieldy Constitution: Proposals and Opportunities to Fix It

Speakers: 

• James R. Layton, Of Counsel, Tueth Keeney, former Missouri Solicitor General and former Professor, University of Missouri School of Law.
• Justin Dyer, Professor of Political Science, University of Missouri, and Director of the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy

Missouri’s current constitution was adopted in 1945. Since then it has been amended over 110 times and has grown to nearly 80,000 words — nearly three times the length of the document ratified in 1945, and ten times the length of the United States Constitution.

Justin Dyer will give a historical perspective on the constitutional convention of 1943-44. He will give an overview of the campaign to win public support for the convention itself, the selection of delegates, the establishment of procedural rules, the consideration and adoption of proposals, and the election in February 1945 ratifying the current constitution. He will provide historical insights on Missouri’s initiative, referendum and amendment provisions. Read his recent essay here.

Jim Layton will present his recently published proposals, co-authored with Michael A. Wolff (former Judge and Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court and former Dean and Professor Emeritus of St. Louis University School of Law) and David Roland (Litigation Director of the Freedom Center of Missouri), to improve Missouri’s constitutional amendment process and to streamline the existing constitution. Read the proposals here.

The presenters will discuss these and other proposals to “fix” the constitution and the amendment process. Also discussed will be recent constitutional changes adopted by Missouri voters and ones which may be on the horizon, including the “Better Together” proposal that calls for a state-wide vote on the consolidation of St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis. A robust Q&A with the audience is anticipated.

Click HERE to register!

• $25 - Members
• $35 - Non-Members

Wine, beer, and hors d'oeuvres available, starting at 5:30.

1.2 hours of Missouri CLE credit pending.