“The time has come to stop big money, powerful lobbyists and powerful gangs,” Gould told a bank of media personnel Thursday afternoon.

She said the activities that occur in Jefferson City remind her of the words of the prophet Amos, who said: “For I know your crimes are many and your sins are innumerable. They oppress the righteous, take bribes and deprive the poor of justice at the city gates.”

Lobbyists, big donors and political insiders have too much control over state government, she said. The initiative would hold legislators accountable when they fail to act in the public interest.”The people of Missouri are united to end systemic corruption of our government today,” Gould said.