A federal appeals court has ruled that Missouri’s ban on lawmakers and legislative staff working as lobbyists for two years after leaving office is unconstitutional. The ban, part of the “Clean Missouri” initiative, aimed to prevent corruption, but the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals found it violated the First Amendment.
Former state Rep. Rocky Miller and legislative assistant John LaVanchy filed a lawsuit against the ban, arguing that it restricted their employment opportunities and violated their First Amendment rights. The court agreed, stating that Missouri failed to show a compelling anti-corruption interest or that the ban was narrowly tailored.
Miller, who served four terms in the Missouri House, left office in 2021 and received an offer to work as a paid lobbyist shortly after. He registered as a lobbyist after the ban expired and currently represents six clients, including a waste management company.
The decision overturns a ruling from last year that upheld the ban as a way to prevent corruption. The court’s decision emphasizes the importance of protecting individuals’ First Amendment rights and ensuring that restrictions on speech are justified.
This development highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding lobbying restrictions and the balance between preventing corruption and upholding constitutional rights. The case has implications for similar laws across the country and could lead to further challenges to lobbying regulations.
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