01/31/22 - Missouri Mondays - Fight attacks on initiative petitions, public schools, CRT! & More!
01/31/22 - Missouri Mondays - Fight attacks on initiative petitions, public schools, CRT! Take action for Holocaust Education Week! Help support the great work of ProgressWomen!
Welcome to another Missouri Mondays and another busy week of important actions! Thanks for all you do to make a difference!
MISSOURI LEGISLATURE NEWS FROM FORMER MO STATE REP
THE HON. STACEY NEWMAN, EXEC DIR & FOUNDER PROGRESSWOMEN
EDUCATORS AND PARENTS PUSH BACK
From the Hon. Stacey Newman - “We KNOW you're watching the Critical Race Theory (CRT) in school districts and around the country. On January 11th opponents packed a hearing room in Jefferson City to testify against several horrible education bills, and submitted A RECORD # of TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION.
603 people submitted testimony on HB1995, the Parental Bill of Rights (the majority opposed), sponsored by Rep. Doug Richey (R-Excelsior Springs)
1087 submitted testimony (again, most in opposition) on HB1474, banning CRT curriculum, sponsored by Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O'Fallon).
SO MANY showed up that the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee went into overtime, continuing the hearing for hours in a double session, with many not able to get into the room. STILL - many didn't get the chance to speak.
Both these bills remain stuck in committee - have NOT yet been voted out - thanks to the powerful group of parents, students, educators, school board members and supporters who showed up en masse in the Capitol.”
House Bill 1995 - Creates the “Parents’ Bill of Rights Act of 2022” in Public Schools - Sponsor Rep. Doug Richey (R-Excelsior Springs) - This bill enumerates rights for parents in areas relating to education, health care, and mental health, and establishes "The Parents' Bill of Rights for Student Well-Being". Rights listed include the right to direct ethical, moral, and religious training, the right to enroll his or her child in a public, parochial, or home school, and the right to exempt his or her child from immunizations. Additional rights are listed in the bill.” Full bill summary here: http://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/sumpdf/HB1995I.pdf
House Bill 1474 - Bans Critical Race Theory (CRT) curriculum Sponsor Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O’Fallon) - “This bill creates the “Parents’ Bill of Rights Act of 2022” in Public Schools which requires school districts that receive any federal or state money to provide specific rights and information relating to minor children to the parents of the child.” Full bill summary here: http://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/sumpdf/HB1474I.pdf
CALL TO ACTION!
Contact your State Representative to voice your opposition to these bills! Find your representative using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default.aspx
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A GOOD BILL IN #MOLEG - A BIT OF LIGHT AMIDST THE DARKNESS
House Bill 2000 - Establishes Holocaust Education Week in Public Schools - Sponsored by Rep. Adam Schwadron (R-St. Charles) - Full bill summary here: https://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/sumpdf/HB2000I.pdf
From the Hon. Stacey Newman - “HB 2000, establishing Holocaust Education Week in public schools, sponsored by Rep. Adam Schwadron (R-St. Charles) was heard in Emerging Issues committee on January 25th. I was honored to be among Jewish professionals, educators and supporters who testified in support - me on behalf of my husband who talked to students and faith groups for years as a regular St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum docent/speaker.
Currently 22 states require and recommend Holocaust education curriculum, including Texas, Arkansas, Florida and Indiana.
HB 2000 would expand the 2006 statute which established a Missouri Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission.
CALL TO ACTION!
You can help get HB 2000 to the Governor’s desk! This bill has an EXCELLENT CHANCE and IS ADVANCING FASTER THAN THE Critical Race Theory (CRT) BILLS.
HB 2000 is scheduled to be voted out of the MO House Emerging Issues committee next week and will progress ASAP to the House floor.
THE BILL SPONSOR REQUESTS THAT YOU CALL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE - ASK THEM TO CO-SPONSOR HB2000.
As of Jan 28, 23 REPUBLICANS and DEMOCRATS are co-sponsoring with Rep. Schwadron.
Last week the International Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed around the world and gives us additional momentum and purpose.
Nazi and Holocaust comments routinely pop up in MO legislature committee and in floor debate. THIS MUST STOP ---as we make sure facts about the Holocaust are taught in Missouri schools.
#NEVERAGAIN IS NOT JUST A SLOGAN BUT OUR COLLECTIVE MISSION.
CALL TO ACTION!
Contact your State Representative to co-sponsor HB 2000! Find your representative using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default.aspx
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SUPPORT THE WORK OF PROGRESSWOMEN!
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE SILENT! YOU KNOW WHAT’S AT STAKE:
ABORTION RIGHTS
VOTING RIGHTS
SAFE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ACCURATE HISTORY CURRICULUM
And so much more
WE MUST PROTECT DEMOCRACY! HELP US MAKE NOISE & FIGHT BACK HERE: http://www.progresswomen.com/join-with-us/
DONATE TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF PROGRESSWOMEN HERE: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/cantaffordtobesilent
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ADDITIONAL MO LEGISLATURE ACTIONS TO TAKE THIS WEEK!
CALL Rep. Cody Smith 573-751-5458, the Budget Committee Chair, and tell him that enough is enough. THE LEGISLATURE MUST PASS THE EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET NOW!
The Emergency Supplemental Budget includes promised essential pay increases for our teachers, healthcare workers, and all state workers!
Missouri ranks 49th in teachers’ pay, and both schools and state agencies are understaffed. Missourians are tired of politicians playing games, and it’s time that Rep. Smith recognizes the urgency of passing the supplemental to ensure Missouri retains talented employees and continues providing essential services to Missourians.
More information on the spending bill here: https://missouriindependent.com/2022/01/24/parson-pay-raise-plan-in-limbo-as-5-4-billion-spending-bill-awaits-vote/ Missouri Independent Jan 24
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CALL Rep. Cody Smith 573-751-5458, the Budget Committee Chair and sponsor of HJR 117 and tell him to respect the will of Missourians and to ensure that a quarter of a million Missourians continue to be eligible for affordable healthcare.
HJR 117 is a constitutional amendment changing Medicaid eligibility and requirements overturning the will of MO voters - Full summary here: https://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/sumpdf/HJR0117I.pdf
Rep. Smith’s proposed constitutional amendment would give Republicans the ability to overturn the will of Missouri voters, who passed Medicaid Expansion and would undermine the Missouri Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Missourians’ vote. Medicaid expansion led to 275,000 Missourians becoming eligible for affordable healthcare.
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STOP ATTACKS ON INITIATIVE PETITIONS
The House Elections and Elected Officials Committee heard HJR 79 (Henderson) on January 12. HJR 79 would require a higher fraction of signatures (10% of voters rather than 8 % per district) in more parts of the state (all eight Congressional districts rather than six) for an initiative that amends the Constitution. The HJR also would require a two-thirds supermajority vote (rather than the simple majority vote required since Missouri became a state) to pass a Constitutional amendment.
Several similar bills that would make it more difficult for the citizens of Missouri to file a ballot initiative petition will have public hearings this week.
TAKE ACTION!
Call these members of the Elections and Elected Officials Committee and tell them to leave the Initiative Petition Process alone!
Rep. Dan Shaul 573-751-2504
Rep. Peggy McGuagh 573-751-1468
Rep. Jeff Coleman 573-751-1487
Rep. Bishop Davidson 573-751-2381
Rep. Ann Kelly 573-751-2165
Rep. Adam Schwadron 573-751-1452
Rep. John Simmons 573-751-3776
Rep. Dan Stacy 573-751-8636
Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch 573-751-1169
Further reading: Republicans Renew Push to make it harder for voters to amend Missouri constitution – Missouri Independent
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS
TAKE ACTION WITH THE MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC)
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Missouri lawmakers filed more than 300 bills for the 2022 session. 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 suppressing 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 31
10 AM
Text “MOVPC” to 66866 or register HERE: https://wustl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYoceyuqTsqGN1NlXOMKb88rSExyr-kWjbt
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JOIN THE MISSOURI HOUSE DEMOCRATS LEGISLATIVE NETWORK
AND HELP ELECT DEMOCRATS!
The Democratic Legislative Network is building a community of dedicated activists
to support our ideals, our message and our candidates in Missouri.
Fill out this form to sign up and help us put more Democrats into office: https://secure.ngpvan.com/oZqeiPSF7kqrBstdpQLk9w2
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NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH
January is National Blood Donor Month. Amidst a nation-wide critical blood shortage, you can help by joining the #GiveLifeKC campaign and donating blood at one of the Community Blood Center’s donor centers. Donors can schedule appointments by calling 1-877-468-6844 or visiting www.savealifenow.org.
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MORE UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS
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
Free rapid at-home tests may be ordered starting Jan. 19 at COVIDtests.gov.
The state of Missouri is also providing free at-home PCR tests, however, their supply may be low. A notice on their website states: “Please note that due to the current spike in demand, a limited quantity will be available each day through January. If the ordering site says the limit has been reached, please check back again the following day for availability. Thank you for your patience.”
Order your test kit here: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/community-test.php#self-collection
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
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
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: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html
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Missourians Vaccinated - as of Sun Jan 30 The New York Times
65% of Missourians have received at least one dose - (75% at least one dose in the U.S.)
54% of Missourians are fully vaccinated - (64% fully vaccinated in the U.S.)
Total COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in Missouri
1,069,678 confirmed cases (41,311 in last week) and 13,948 confirmed deaths and a testing positivity rate of 30.1% –data through 01/29/22 MO Dept of Health and Senior Services
1,337,639 total reported cases and 17,403 deaths as of Sun Jan 30 The New York Times
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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
