Court Strikes Down Parts of Municipal Reform Law
- GGFM
- Mar 30, 2016
- 1 min read
A Cole County Circuit Court judge recently struck down major components of the municipal court reform law passed by the Missouri legislature in 2015. Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale), limited the percentage of cities' revenue that could be generated from traffic violations. The limit for St. Louis County was set at 12.5% of general revenue; the rest of the state was capped at 20%.
The court threw out several pieces of the law, including the lower revenue cap for St. Louis County. The judge ruled that it is unconstitutional to target a specific county with increased restrictions. Attorney General Chris Koster has said he will appeal this decision.
Below are news stories covering municipal reform and the Cole County Court decision.
CBS St. Louis: Koster will appeal Senate Bill 5 ruling
Christian Science Monitor: Why did a Missouri court strike down a law limiting cities' revenues from fines?Fox 2 Now: Court strikes down law passed after DOJ report on Ferguson (video)
Southeast Missourian: Missouri attorney general to appeal court reform ruling
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Ruling on municipal court reform law puts focus on 'special laws'
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Judge sides with St. Louis County cities that claimed municipal court reform law is unfair
St. Louis Public Radio: A discussion about municipal court reform with Starsky Wilson and Thomas Harvey
St. Louis Public Radio: Judge deals big blow to Ferguson-inspired municipal overhaul
The Missouri Times: Supporters of SB 5 plot course after court ruling
The Missouri Times: Koster to appeal ruling on SB 5
The Missouri Times: Parts of SB 5 thrown out in Cole Co. Court
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