01/03/22 - Missouri Mondays - Happy 2022! Redistricting Hearing Jan 3 - MO Leg Session begins!
MO Legislative Session begins Jan 5 - Jan 6, Vigils for Democracy - Take action!
URGENT CALL TO ACTION REGARDING MISSOURI HOUSE REDISTRICTING - JACKSON COUNTY
TODAY Jan 3 at 10 AM, the Missouri House Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission (HIBCC) will be holding a meeting for public comment.
This commission is composed of 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans. Each party nominated 20 members, and the governor selected one nominee for every congressional district and two statewide commissioners for each party.
The commission has agreed to 112 or 70% of the house districts in the state, but they have not agreed to any district lines in Jackson County! While we assume testifying in person tomorrow is not likely you can still make your voice heard by providing written testimony online or via email.
Criteria outlined in the Missouri Constitution says districts shall:
be as nearly equal in population as may be possible (1-3% difference max)
meet all requirements of US Constitution and federal laws, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965
be contiguous and compact to the extent possible by natural or political boundaries
preserve communities of interest and follow political subdivision lines
have partisan fairness and competitiveness (subject to above priorities)
Submitting Testimony / Comments
Link for submitting testimony/comments online: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/0116499ac1dc4a95ab43a66e4c08ed8c Note: Problems have been reported with this link so if it’s not working please submit your testimony/comments using the email address below
Email address for submitting testimony/comments: redistricting@oa.mo.gov
Submit testimony in person - you can attend the hearing in person in Jefferson City on January 3, 2022 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Thomas Jefferson State Office Building, 205 Jefferson Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101, Rm 1110.
Watch the Hearing
You can watch the hearing on WebEx without interacting: https://stateofmo.webex.com/stateofmo/j.php?MTID=md92ece05243ca2cc96e7bb009732b901
CONTACT YOUR STATE REP FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PROPOSED REDISTRICTING MAPS FOR YOUR DISTRICT
For more information about your district’s proposed maps contact your State Representative. Find yours using the “Legislator Lookup” here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default.aspx
MISSOURI REDISTRICTING IN THE NEWS
“New Missouri Congressional Maps appear to keep Fifth District in Democratic hands”
“The Missouri House and Senate redistricting committees on Thursday unveiled their joint proposed changes to the state’s Congressional Districts in a map that would likely allow Democrats to keep their existing two seats in Congress. The maps, released a week before the Missouri Legislature is set to begin its 2022 legislative session, would add more Democratic voters to the 5th Congressional District, which encompasses Kansas City and its suburbs, while placing more Republican-leaning voters in the 4th and 6th Congressional Districts. Republicans hold six of the state’s eight Congressional seats.”
Full story here: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article256951327.html
KCStar Dec 30 2021
“What is redistricting and why does it matter to you?”
https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article255932606.html
KCStar Nov 28 2021
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MISSOURI 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS JAN 5
“One of the most-anticipated bills that could make the rounds calls for redistricting in Missouri. GOP lawmakers released redrawn maps for the state’s eight U.S. House districts earlier this week. The proposal comes as part of HB 2117, which is by Rep. Dan Shaul (R-Imperial). Other pre-filed bills could tackle highly-contested issues, such as how critical race theory is taught in schools (HB 1364), changes to dog breed regulations (HB 1657) and a possible repeal to Missouri’s gas tax increase (HB 1594) that took effect last year.”
Full story here: “On Your Side: Key bills and dates as Missouri’s 2022 legislative session starts Jan 5” https://www.ky3.com/2022/01/02/your-side-key-bills-dates-missouris-2022-legislative-session-starts-jan-5/ KY3 Jan 2 2022
Lawmakers return to Jeff City this week. Here’s what to watch” https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lawmakers-return-to-jeff-city-this-week-here-s-what-to-watch/article_9bdb8b8f-9550-5e4f-950d-9ba7d1462a4f.html#tracking-source=home-top-story St.Louis Post-Dispatch Jan 2 2022
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"MISSOURI LAWMAKER WANTS TEXAS-STYLE BAN ON ABORTION”
“A Missouri lawmaker introduced legislation that would ban nearly all abortions in the state, mirroring a new Texas law that could gut the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 decision that legalized the procedure. Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, who is running for a seat in the state Senate, wants to prohibit the termination of a pregnancy once cardiac activity is detected in an embryo, usually around six weeks and before some women even know they are pregnant.
Her proposal also bypasses state officials who typically enforce laws and deputizes private citizens to sue clinics, doctors and anyone else who facilitates an abortion after the cardiac cutoff.
It also would attempt to further limit funding to the state’s lone abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, which already has taken steps to assist Missouri women seeking abortions by opening a clinic across the Mississippi River from St. Louis in Illinois.”
Full story here: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/missouri-lawmaker-wants-texas-style-ban-on-abortion/article_437cf650-03fc-51d6-819e-9abf0edd596e.html#tracking-source=in-article St.Louis Post-Dispatch Dec 17 2021
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“GOVERNOR PARSON DECLARES END TO COVID EMERGENCY AS MISSOURI CASES SOAR TO RECORD LEVELS”
“On the day Missouri surpassed 1 million COVID-19 cases and recorded the highest single-day tally of infections for the pandemic, Gov. Mike Parson announced he would let the state of emergency for responding to the disease expire at midnight Friday. The decision was immediately criticized by Missouri Hospital Association spokesman Dave Dillon, who said it will restrict the ability to provide care as inpatient numbers near the peak for the year.”
Full story here: https://missouriindependent.com/2021/12/30/gov-parson-declares-end-to-covid-emergency-as-cases-soar-to-record-levels/ Missouri Independent Dec 30 2021
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS
JAN 6 COMMEMORATION VIGILS IN MISSOURI
It’s been nearly one year since armed militants attacked our Capitol and tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Since that time, the same faction that attacked our country on January 6th is working to restrict our freedom to vote, attacking fair voting districts, and quietly preparing future attempts to sabotage free and fair elections and with it our democracy.
Right here at home, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley played a key role in encouraging the events of Jan. 6 and Missouri lawmakers are returning to Jefferson City starting Jan. 5 to take up legislation that would undermine our freedom to vote. We must not forget what happened -- and we must demand action from our leaders to prevent further attacks on our democracy.
So this January 6, join the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition and our partners around the state to mark the Jan. 6 anniversary with five Vigils for Democracy across Missouri, coinciding with hundreds of similar events around the nation. Coming together, we can prevent another January 6th attack and realize the promise of democracy for all of us - no matter our color, zip code, or income - so we all have an equal say in the decisions that shape our daily lives and futures.
Find a Jan 6 event near you here: https://www.mobilize.us/democracyvigils/
Note: All Jan 6 Commemoration Events in Missouri will be outdoors. COVID protocols, including masking and social distancing, are required.
Kansas City Jan. 6 Vigil for Democracy
Jan 6, 2022
4:30-5:30 pm
Martin Luther King Park
Woodland Ave. at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Kansas City MO 64130
Register at: https://www.mobilize.us/democracyvigils/event/434253/
St. Louis Jan. 6 Vigil for Democracy
Jan 6, 2022
3:30pm-5pm
Southeast Corner of Brentwood and Eager Rd
St. Louis, MO 63144
Register at: https://www.mobilize.us/democracyvigils/event/434252/
Mid-Missouri Jan. 6 Vigil for Democracy
Jan 6, 2022
5pm - 6pm
Boone County Courthouse Plaza
705 East Walnut Street
Columbia MO 65201
Register at: https://www.mobilize.us/democracyvigils/event/434254/
Jefferson City Jan. 6 Vigil for Democracy
Jan 6, 2022
5pm-6pm
In front of US Post Office
131 W. High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Register at: https://www.mobilize.us/democracyvigils/event/434586/
Springfield, MO Jan. 6 Vigil for Democracy
Jan 6, 2022
5:30-6:30pm
Park Central Square
Springfield, MO 65806
Register at: https://www.mobilize.us/democracyvigils/event/434169/
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TAKE ACTION WITH THE MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC)
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Missouri lawmakers have prefiled more than 300 bills for 2022 session that starts Jan 5 and using false claims of voter fraud the GOP majority will try again to pass restrictive photo ID laws, make the initiative petition process harder, reduce or eliminate voting by mail, and other laws supressing our vote and our voice!
Help protect the right to vote in Missouri with the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition! The Missouri Voter Protection Coalition (MOVPC) is a nonpartisan statewide network working to protect the right to vote in Missouri, promoting access to the ballot and working to remove barriers to voting.
Weekly MOVPC Meeting
TODAY Mon Jan 3
10 AM
Text “MOVPC” to 66866 or register HERE: https://wustl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYoceyuqTsqGN1NlXOMKb88rSExyr-kWjbt
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MORE UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS IN JANUARY
Find more upcoming actions and events here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19AZUdtRH5WXefOC4Q5D9u-HyuzhBEL8rYX9Ospn3n18/edit?usp=sharing
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MISSOURI COVID UPDATE - Week Dec 26 - Jan 2
COVID-19 Vaccines
Everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine.
CDC has updated its recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines with a preference for people to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna). Read CDC’s media statement here: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1216-covid-19-vaccines.html
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots (CDC updated Dec 28 2021)
Everyone 16 years and older can get a booster shot. Details HERE: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1119-booster-shots.html
Three COVID-19 vaccines are authorized or approved for use in the United States to prevent COVID-19. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) are preferred. You may get Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in some situations–https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/janssen.html
CDC Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines HERE (updated Nov 30 2021): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html
FIND COVID-19 Vaccines KC Metro - Statewide and COVID-19 Testing & Recovery Treatment (KC Metro) HERE https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i1vCikZiGfMulA8tFCDSJbEKV5N37S1JU_TSlgs699A/edit?usp=sharing
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Missourians Vaccinated - as of Sun Jan 2 The New York Times
62% of Missourians have received at least one dose - (73% at least one dose in the U.S.
53% of Missourians are fully vaccinated - (62% fully vaccinated in the U.S.)
Total COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in Missouri
815,834 confirmed cases and 13,113 confirmed deaths - data through 12/29/21 MO Dept of Health and Senior Services
1,023,420 total reported cases and 16,227 deaths as of Sun Jan 2 The New York Times
THANK YOU! for answering the Missouri Mondays CALL TO ACTION!
Invite your friends and neighbors to join us and sign up for Missouri Action Alliance and this Missouri Mondays email at moactionalliance.com/signup
Follow us on Twitter at @MissouriAction, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MOActionAlliance and check out our website at http://www.MOActionAlliance.com
