Newly formed Missouri Freedom Caucus makes its presence known on first day of session

As soon as the gavel hit Wednesday, the Missouri Senate convened its second regular session of the 102nd General Assembly. 

Like many before it in our state’s history, it happened during an election year where political discourse was at an all time high. 

Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden tried to strike a unifying tone… 

“Will we focus on principle progress or political pandemonium? Will we care more about Missouri’s future or our own futures? What I’m about to say is not breaking news, political experts and onlookers don’t think this session is going to amount to much. My simple message is let’s prove them wrong.” 

But like a scratch in a vinyl record, that unifying tone abruptly ended. 

Members of the newly formed Missouri Freedom Caucus, made up of far-right conservative Republicans, questioned why priorities like initiative petition reform and property tax relief did not pass last year.