In Missouri, the November election brought glad tidings for conservative Republican politicians and puppies.
The GOP increased its domination of the House and Senate. Sixty-seven freshman House members will be sworn into office next week, most of them Republicans who ran on pro-business, small-government platforms.
The Senate, where nearly a third of the seats turn over, also assumed a more conservative hue. Moderate leaders such as Republican Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields were forced out by term limits and replaced by Republicans of a more ideological bent.
At the same time, Missouri voters overrode the wishes of conservative, rural lawmakers and passed Proposition B.
The initiative petition changed state law to require more humane treatment for dogs at breeding operations.
The 2010 election results set the stage for a possibly raucous legislative session in 2011.
New and veteran lawmakers are jockeying for position. Some are pledging support for unworkable ideas such as abandoning the state income tax in favor of a huge sales tax increase. Rural lawmakers have said they’ll try to undo the vote of the people and repeal or amend the puppy mill statute.
To read the complete editorial, visit www.kansascity.com.
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