Missouri Supreme Court's Decisions on Abortion Rights Challenge GOP Attorney General

The Missouri Supreme Court has ordered the Republican attorney general, Andrew Bailey, to stand down and allow an initiative petition to legalize abortion in the state to move forward. The court unanimously affirmed a lower court's decision that Bailey must approve the cost estimate provided by the auditor, despite his insistence that the cost to taxpayers could be much higher. Bailey's refusal to approve the estimate has prevented the amendment from receiving the necessary approval to gather voter signatures. The proposed amendment would enshrine the individual right to make decisions about abortion, childbirth, and birth control in the state constitution.