Missouri auditor

Emails show Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s office completed its work on the cost estimate for an abortion rights ballot issue, but Attorney General Andrew Bailey refused to give what has traditionally been considered perfunctory approval — and demanded the auditor falsely inflate the numbers.

The ACLU filed a lawsuit after Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey attempted to convince the state auditor’s office to falsely increase the projected cost of the abortion amendment. Because Bailey refused to sign off on the fiscal note, the ballot summary can't be finalized — something that was supposed to be done by May 1.

The proposals would amend the constitution to declare that the “government shall not infringe upon a person’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom.” Supporters of the abortion rights petition argue that the Missouri attorney general acted unlawfully when he pressed the state auditor to increase the projected cost of the proposal — holding up its approval and preventing supporters from gathering signatures.

In a seemingly unprecedented move, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey demanded that the state auditor include “inaccurate information" in the fiscal summary for a proposed amendment enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution.

The former state Treasurer replaces Nicole Galloway, who was the last remaining Democrat in Missouri to hold an elected statewide position.

The auditor’s office, tasked with the impartial review of public spending, is currently the only statewide office held by a Democrat. Current Auditor Nicole Galloway decided not to seek another term.

A blistering new audit lays out a litany of abuses by former Clay County commissioners. Plus, a study by the Jackson County Health Department found that some students may be missing school because they can't afford period products.

Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway's audit of the previous Clay County Commission found instances of waste, secrecy and generous benefits to certain employees, among other findings.

The flap stems from an audit Galloway did of Hawley’s office after he resigned as attorney general in 2018 to become a U.S. Senator.

Nicole Galloway was the Democratic Party's last statewide official standing since Republicans gained substantial ground in Missouri.

The order stems from a voter-requested audit of the troubled county commission, which has been sued for violating a government transparency law and underfunding jail contracts.

Proposition C supporters say changing the form of government will bring needed reform to the county while opponents say the problem is the current commissioners.