Cole County judge orders AG Bailey to approve fiscal note for abortion ballot initiatives

Attorney General Andrew Bailey loses Round One in the fight over efforts to make abortion legal again in Missouri. 

Cole County District Judge Jon Beetem ruled that the attorney general failed to perform the duties of his office when he refused to approve the fiscal notes for 11 proposed ballot initiatives to legalize abortion. 

Judge Beetem also ordered Bailey to approve the fiscal notes sent to him by State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick within 24 hours of the judgement being handed down. 

Once that’s done, the Secretary of State’s office can then examine each proposal and decide which ones can be circulated statewide to collect signatures from Missouri voters. 

There’s no word yet if Bailey will appeal the ruling.