Democratic leaders sound off on why lobbyists have so much influence in Missouri politics
After voters approved Clean Missouri in 2018, Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, an Independence Democrat, and House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat, say lobbyists still hold significant power in Jefferson City.
Missouri’s strict term limits, approved by voters in 1992, ensure that lobbyists hold most of the institutional knowledge in the building, Rizzo said. And while Clean Missouri cut down on lobbyist gifts, Quade said it has created a culture where contributions are made behind the scenes.
While lobbyist gifts to lawmakers are now effectively banned, special interests can make unlimited contributions to political action committees, helping them remain influential. The PACs play a large role in Missouri elections because they don’t face the same contribution limits that campaigns operate under.
