Lawmakers abuse power

The Kansas City Star

If only Republicans in the Missouri House were as clever about proposing good legislation as they fancy themselves to be by retaliating against newspaper criticism.

Votes by 74 Republicans were enough to pass an amendment that eliminates a sales tax exemption newspapers receive when they buy newsprint and other equipment needed for their products. The amendment is narrowly written to hurt only The Star and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. ...

The vote came three days after the Post-Dispatch devoted a full page to an editorial listing the names and photos of 66 Republican representatives who voted to cut Medicaid benefits while receiving taxpayer-subsidized health insurance for their part-time jobs. ...

Republicans have consistently refused to end a series of corporate tax breaks that cost the state more than $100 million a year. So the amendment is clearly a strike at the newspapers, and a crude abuse of legislative power. If lawmakers feel free to punish their newspaper critics, they could soon decide to attack other businesses and individuals that displease them. ...

Lawmakers are welcome to disagree with newspaper editorials. They can write op-ed pieces, express their views on the House floor or speak directly to constituents.

But Missouri citizens count on the press to report and comment on the actions of elected officials. Voters should not have to worry that politicians have bullied the press into praising their legislative genius.

House Republicans have behaved badly this session. If they really want to stop reading critical editorials about themselves, why not try passing responsible laws that address the state's great needs?