Federal court strikes down Missouri investment rule targeted at `woke politics'
A federal judge has struck down Missouri investment regulations that Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft had touted as way to expose financial institutions that “put woke politics ahead of investment returns.” The Missouri regulations, issued by Ashcroft's office, infringed on the free speech rights of investment professionals and are preempted by federal law, the court ruling said. The regulations "would have placed an unnecessary burden on investment firms – small and large – doing business here in Missouri,” said Kara Corches, interim president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.