02/12/24 Missouri Mondays - Under attack by extreme MO GOP this week-– Planned Parenthood funding, citizen’s initiative petitions, voting rights, diversity/equity/inclusion (DEI), public education!
Stand up! Fight back!
Welcome to Missouri Mondays!
As the national spotlight shines on Missouri for another Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory, our state’s extreme GOP lawmakers are also making national news for blocking efforts to add rape and incest exceptions to Missouri’s near total abortion ban and trying to eliminate state funding for Planned Parenthood. Republican Sen. Rick Brattin argued against the exceptions saying that “giving birth could help women recover from rape or incest.” State Senator Sandy Crawford said rape would be “mentally taxing” for anyone, but it wasn’t a justification for an abortion. “God is perfect,” she said. “God does not make mistakes. And for some reason he allows that to happen. Bad things happen.” Republican state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman sponsored a bill last week that would make Planned Parenthood ineligible to receive reimbursements from MO HealthNet, the state’s Medicaid program. Missouri Independent Feb 8 PBS Feb 7
The MO GOP is also continuing their attacks on the initiative petition process–making it harder to pass by eliminating majority rule. We cannot afford to stay silent while the out of control extreme MO GOP majority attacks our fundamental rights and freedoms! Each week we’ll provide resources, upcoming events and ways to get involved that we hope you will find meaningful. Thank you for staying informed, taking action, and helping to spread the word by sharing this link to sign up for Missouri Mondays weekly email bit.ly/3pF99Uw.
UPCOMING EVENTS - ACTIONS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
TAKE ACTION WITH THE MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC)
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Join the MOVPC weekly online meeting MONDAYS at 10 AM
Text “MOVPC” to 66866 or register HERE: bit.ly/protectmovoters
Your help is needed to protect voting rights and ensure ALL Missourians are able to make their voices heard! MOVPC is a nonpartisan statewide network promoting access to the ballot and working to remove barriers to voting in Missouri! Register for Monday calls here!
MOVPC 2024 Missouri Legislative Tracker
See a breakdown of elections related bills on MOVPC's Voting Rights Legislative Tracker here: bit.ly/movotingbills
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TELL YOUR STATE ELECTEDS TO STOP ATTACKS ON INITIATIVE PETITIONS!
The Republican supermajority is advancing legislation designed to gut Missouri's long-standing citizen initiative process and end majority rule in Missouri and silence the voices of Missouri's voters. Your voice is needed to ensure all Missourians are able to make their voices heard!
Call to Action details and talking points from the League of Women Voters Missouri (LWVMO) for initiative petition bills here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bIBmvUMIKbjOkksbhuwweWXR06YgqNUK/edit
Tell your state representative and senator to protect direct democracy and majority rule through the initiative petition process! Find your state representative and senator using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default
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TAKE URGENT ACTION WITH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MISSOURI!
February 11 Weekly Legislative Calls to Action includes bills on initiative petitions, education (tax credit vouchers / open enrollment / charter school expansion, teacher recruitment & retention), and more. Make your voice heard on issues of importance to you!
CALL TO ACTION DETAILS HERE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bIBmvUMIKbjOkksbhuwweWXR06YgqNUK/edit
League of Women Voters MO Legislative Bulletin for Feb 11: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tOmxAIlKqw_B7lQzc2WhVC6Kp7DQTjtC/view
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JOIN THE EFFORT TO PUT ABORTION RIGHTS ON THE BALLOT!
Missourians for Constitutional Freedom is a statewide coalition of organizations and concerned citizens from across the state working to establish the right for all Missourians to make decisions about our own reproductive health care – including abortion, birth control, and miscarriage care – without interference from out-of-touch politicians.
The decision of whether or not to have an abortion is a personal choice that should be made by Missourians, their families, and their health care providers – not politicians in Jefferson City. Passing this amendment will end our state’s abortion ban and make sure Missourians and their families can once again make the decisions that are best for them. Decisions around pregnancy, including abortion, birth control, and miscarriage care are personal and private and should be left up to patients and their families. But here in Missouri, politicians are making that decision for us.
We are coming together to end Missouri’s cruel total ban on abortion and give the power to make personal health care decisions back to where it belongs – to the people.
We are required to collect 172,000 valid signatures by May 5th, 2024, to ensure Missourians get to vote on ending our cruel abortion ban at the ballot. Your SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL to make this initiative a reality.
Donate: Your donation will directly contribute to kicking politicians out of personal, medical, and family decision making in Missouri. Donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/missourians-for-constitutional-freedom-1
Volunteer: Every action matters. Sign up to collect signatures, make calls, or host a house party. Sign up at https://moconstitutionalfreedom.org/ to receive updates from the campaign and get notified for opportunities to sign the petition near you!
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TELL YOUR STATE SENATOR TO REJECT PUBLIC SCHOOL OPEN ENROLLMENT BILLS!
Last week the MO House passed House Bill HB 1989 public school open enrollment bill and it is now in the Senate. Senate Bill SB 1051 open enrollment bill would allow students to transfer to charter schools as well as to other school districts. SB 1051 will be heard in a Senate committee this week.
Under open enrollment –
Missouri public school students can attend any public school without regard to where a student lives as long as the school is willing to accept them.
State funding follows the student so there is reason for concern that open enrollment will create a vicious cycle where struggling school districts will struggle more.
Some districts may be forced to cut programs and services or possibly close the school district due to loss of funding
Statement from the Missouri School Board Association opposing public school open enrollment bills:
"Our organizations are opposed to these bills and have concerns about the impact open enrollment will have on students who remain in districts that see a loss of students and state funding. Districts that see a loss of students would likely need to cut programs, services, and teachers as a result. Our member organizations are also concerned about the impact the bills would have on school district collaboration given that districts will be forced to compete for students.
While participation in the program is voluntary, a district that chooses to participate will be empowered to accept students from other districts. As students leave, either for academic or convenience reasons (i.e. a parent works in a neighboring district) there is fear that these students will be spread across grade levels, thus sending districts will not have the option of cutting staff. Instead, those districts will be forced to cut programming/services for the remaining students, with the possibility of being forced to close the school district entirely if too many resources are cut because of open enrollment.”
Tell your senator to vote NO on HB 1989, SB 1051, and any public school open enrollment bill!
Find your state senator using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default
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IMPORTANT MISSOURI VOTER INFORMATION FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL SELECTION PROCESS!
Many Missouri voters don't know that in 2022 the MO General Assembly passed legislation eliminating the state’s March presidential primary and turned the process over to the political parties.
The Democratic presidential primary on March 23 will be a hybrid election, offering Missouri Democrats an opportunity to cast their vote by **mail or at an in-person voting site from 8 AM until noon on the day of the primary. Participants must be registered to vote and can’t be registered with another party. Find details about the Missouri Democratic Party (MDP) Presidential primary here: https://www.missouridemocrats.org/mdp-primary-information-2024
**Those registered as a Democrat by January 22 will automatically be sent a ballot.
REQUEST A BALLOT STARTING FEB 1
Starting Feb 1 you can request a ballot via the Missouri Democratic Party (MDP) website here: https://www.missouridemocrats.org/mdp-primary-information-2024
MORE INFORMATION ON MISSOURI’S PRESIDENTIAL SELECTION PROCESS
GOP PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY - MARCH 2 A Republican caucus on March 2 will be similar to how Iowa selects delegates. Neither party affiliation nor registration are required, but participants must be registered to vote. Information here: https://missouri.gop/missouri-gop-2024-caucus/locate-your-caucus/
League of Women Voters of Missouri website for more information on the presidential selection process. https://my.lwv.org/missouri/event/new-ways-pick-preferred-presidential-candidates-2024
League of Women Voters of Missouri Presidential Selection Process Fact Sheet https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J4DAWRFPdubq4RIw6MaaF2xj4_idGppKFor more information on Presidential Selection Process–
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Next Scheduled Election - April 2, 2024 General Municipal Election
Election Day: April 2, 2024
Polls Open: 6:00 a.m.
Polls Close: 7:00 p.m.
Last Day to Register: March 6, 2024
In Person Absentee Voting Begins: February 20, 2024
Military & Overseas Portal opens: February 13, 2024
Applications mailed to permanently disabled: February 16, 2024
No Excuse In Person Absentee (Early) Voting Opens: March 19, 2024
Note: You may not have an April 2 election in your area. Check your local election authority website for detailed voting information. To find your election authority go here: https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/localelectionauthority
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CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2024
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture – NMAAHC commemorates Black History Month with wide-reaching programs that elevate the theme of “African Americans and the Arts,” using art as a platform for social justice. More information here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/initiatives/black-history-month-2024
Kansas City PBS Celebrates Black History Month – Kansas City PBS Celebrates Black History Month with New Series from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Details here: https://www.kansascitypbs.org/blogs/station-news/kansas-city-pbs-celebrates-black-history-month-with-new-series-from-dr-henry-louis-gates-jr/
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FIND EVENTS AND MORE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED HERE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19AZUdtRH5WXefOC4Q5D9u-HyuzhBEL8rYX9Ospn3n18/edit?usp=sharing
MISSOURI MONDAYS NEWS SUPPLEMENT!
With so much important news each week we don’t want you to miss a thing! Check out our MISSOURI MONDAYS NEWS SUPPLEMENT here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13cokjWlCh2EkY5K6bM357rjVPizZDzxlMqjAuoBQfoI/edit?usp=sharing
te your friends and neighbors to join us and sign up for Missouri Action Alliance and this Missouri Mondays weekly email at bit.ly/3pF99Uw
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @MissouriAction, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MOActionAlliance and check out our website at http://www.MOActionAlliance.com
