02/07/22 - Missouri Mondays - Stop attacks on Medicaid expansion, voting rights, public schools!
Welcome to another Missouri Mondays and another busy week of important actions! Thanks for all you do to make a difference!
TAKE ACTION NOW ON THIS WEEK’S DANGEROUS BILLS!
STOP THE ATTACK ON MEDICAID EXPANSION
Medicaid Expansion is being threatened by Rep. Cody Smith who has proposed a constitutional amendment that would give Republicans the ability to overturn Medicaid expansion in Missouri. Voters passed Medicaid expansion and the Missouri Supreme Court upheld our vote to make 275,000 Missourians eligible for affordable healthcare. Now Rep. Smith wants to ignore the will of the people and take away the promise of healthcare to over a quarter of a million Missourians.
HJR 117 is on the House Calendar for perfection this week! Call your Representative and demand the legislature respect the will of Missourians and ensure that all Missourians continue to be eligible for affordable healthcare.
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
STOP ATTACKS ON INITIATIVE PETITIONS AND VOTING RIGHTS
HCS HJR 79 is on the calendar for perfection this week! HCS 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.
CALL TO ACTION!
Contact your State Representative to voice your opposition to this bill! Find your representative using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default.aspx
The Missouri House Elections Committee will hold a public hearing on several bills addressing photo ID, absentee voting, voter registration, paper ballots and more, Wed. Feb. 9, 2022 at 12p.m.
Submit your testimony opposing these bills here! For more information and talking points about HB 2113, HB 2140, HB 1455, HB 1859, HB 2002, see Missouri Voter Protection information here–and join the MOVP Call today!
Call these members of the Elections and Elected Officials Committee and tell them to leave the Initiative Petition Process, Voter ID, and Absentee Voting, 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
ATTACK ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONTINUES
On Monday, February 7 at 8:00 a.m in Executive Session, the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education will continue to discuss bills that attack our public schools.
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
Additional bills include HB 2306 (moves school board elections to November, further politicizing a non-partisan election), HJR 110 (another parent bill of rights bill), and HB 1814 (allows students to attend non-resident districts).
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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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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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
HB 2000 is currently still in committee. You can help it progress.
CALL TO ACTION!
You can help get HB 2000 to the Governor’s desk! 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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IMPORTANT MISSOURI NEWS THIS WEEK
Gov. Mike Parson’s pick to lead state health department rejected by Missouri Senate- Missouri Independent
Marvia Jones named first Black female director of Kansas City Health Department- KCUR
Legislators try again for concealed carry weapons on public transit- Columbia Missourian
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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 are wasting no time advancing legislation to make it harder for Missourians to have their voices heard at the ballot box. After a month of whirlwind hearings on bills to gut Missouri's long-standing Citizen Initiative Process, bills addressing photo ID, absentee voting, voter registration, list maintenance and cyber security are on tap in the House Elections Committee this week. Details on the bills and how you can weigh in are below. Join our next MOVPC call Monday, Feb. 7 at 10am for more on these bills, others that lie ahead, and upcoming Lobby Days.
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 Feb 7
10 AM
Text “MOVPC” to 66866 or register HERE: https://wustl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYoceyuqTsqGN1NlXOMKb88rSExyr-kWjbt
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FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
“Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, is a national celebration that recognizes the accomplishments of Black Americans throughout American history. Locally, this celebration recognizes the countless African Americans who shaped KC’s cultural institutions, from chronicling their participation in the Great War to the founding of the Negro National League in 1920.
Past, present and future, the African American community is vital to Kansas City’s story. Below is a list of special celebrations in February and ongoing exhibits that commemorate KC’s rich Black history." –VisitKC.com
FIND SPECIAL EVENTS AND EXHIBITS COMMEMORATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND KANSAS CITY'S RICH BLACK HISTORY HERE:
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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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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
A new dashboard for Covid data in the Kansas City Metro area has been developed by The Kansas City Beacon. The Beacon reports that they “decided to release our own data compilation after reporters found that certain critical metrics used to assess the omicron and delta surges were not readily available elsewhere for the Kansas City area.”
You can check the dashboard here: https://thebeacon.media/stories/2022/02/02/kansas-city-beacon-covid-data-dashboard/
Free at-home COVID tests to be handed out to Medicare beneficiaries this spring
Free rapid at-home tests may be ordered (started 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.”
You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for community testing updates.
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 should 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
Missourians Vaccinated - as of Sun Feb 6 The New York Times
65% of Missourians have received at least one dose - (75% at least one dose in the U.S.)
55% of Missourians are fully vaccinated - (64% fully vaccinated in the U.S.)
Total COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in Missouri
1,092,918 confirmed cases and 14,314 confirmed deaths and a testing positivity rate of 23.7% –data through 02/5/22 MO Dept of Health and Senior Services
1,370,297 total reported cases and 17,859 deaths as of Sun Feb 6 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
