FILE – The Missouri State Capitol is seen on Sept. 16, 2022, in Jefferson City, Mo.
Jeff Roberson/AP
Lawmakers in statehouses across the country have spent the past several weeks debating bills that would bring local issues like zoning, education and police powers under state control.
In recent years, national culture war debates have driven a surge of new legislation, known as preemption bills, in Republican state houses aimed at rolling back laws passed by more progressive cities. Mayors and advocates say the trend risks alienating voters who lose faith in the power of their local leaders.
“What we’re seeing lately is an increase of home rule grab type legislation,” said Clarence Anthony, the CEO of the National League of Cities. “This year, there are 600 different preemptive laws that are being proposed by different legislatures throughout America. That, in fact, is a rise and it’s very concerning to our municipal leaders.”
Bills targeting education, transgender and LGBTQ rights, housing policy, gun rights and policing are among the most prevalent in the legislative sessions this year, according to the NLC.
Preemption playing out in Missouri
FILE – Members of the Missouri House debate legislation on March 21, 2023, at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo.
David A. Lieb/AP
The national fight over crime, policing and public safety boiled over in Missouri this week as Republican state lawmakers pushed to transfer control of the St. Louis Police Department to a state-appointed board…
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