02/13/23 Missouri Mondays - GOP 911 threats to democracy and our freedoms continue!
GOP 911 threats to democracy and our freedoms continue–initiative petitions, race education, “Don’t Say Gay” ban, local government autonomy. Contact your electeds NOW!
Welcome to another Missouri Mondays! Thank you for staying informed and fighting back against Republican majority attacks on our freedoms and democracy! Your voice makes a difference! Help us spread the word to get involved and sign up for Missouri Mondays updates here: https://www.moactionalliance.com/signup
DEMOCRACY UNDER ATTACK! PROTECT THE CITIZEN’S INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS!
MO GOP lawmakers are FURIOUS that Missourians passed popular legislation using the IP process such as Medicaid expansion, medical and recreational marijuana, and DEFEATED so-called right to work laws attacking unions and workers. Changing the constitution through the current initiative petition process is EXTREMELY difficult but the Republican majority in Jefferson City wants to make it harder if not impossible. They know a majority of Missourians reject their extreme agendas and government overreach so they are desperate to take away your ability to ever again bring change to Missouri law through the citizen’s IP process.
We won’t go down without a fight! Take action this week!
Tell State Senators NO changes to the initiative petition process!
Public Hearing - 9 bills attacking the initiative petition process:
Monday, February 13
1:00 PM
MO State Capitol
Senate Committee Room 2
Witness Testimony Registration System here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/senatewitnesssystem/
**Note: Only those testifying in person will be entered into the senate committee minutes.**
These bills seek to undermine the will of the people by making it harder if not impossible for citizens to place a measure on the ballot through the initiative petition process and pass it statewide.
Find details about the 9 bills here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rj23osMSO26K-fffbQszGRFPQv4S_-tZVNm8eA4QJpU/edit?usp=sharing
Contact these Senators on the Local Government and Elections Committee and tell them to reject these efforts to make direct democracy more difficult!
Sen. Elaine Gannon, Chair
Call: 573-751-4008
Sen. Sandy Crawford, V-Chair
Call: 573-751-8793
Sen. Jill Carter
Call: 573-751-2173
Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman
Call: 573-751-1492
Sen. Andrew Koenig
Call: 573-751-5568
Sen. John Rizzo
Call: 573-751-3074
Sen. Barbara Washington
Call: 573-751-3158
CONTACT your state senator, tell them NO to any changes to the citizen’s initiative petition process! Find your senator using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default
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Tell State Representatives NO changes to the citizen’s initiative petition process!
Increasing the number of signatures required for passage
Increasing passage requirement from simple majority to two-thirds majority except on amendments placed on the ballot by the General Assembly
Find more details about HJR 28, HJR 29 here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rj23osMSO26K-fffbQszGRFPQv4S_-tZVNm8eA4QJpU/edit?usp=sharing
Hearings on HJR 28, HJR 29
House Elections and Elected Officials Committee
Tuesday, Feb 14
MO State Capitol
Hearing Room 6
12:00pm
–CALL the members of the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee (member list below) and tell them to VOTE NO CHANGES TO IP PROCESS! NO on HJR 28 and HJR 29!
Rep. Peggy McGaugh 573-751-2917
Rep. Dan Stacy 573-751-8636
Rep. Brad Banderman 573-751-0549
Rep. Tricia Byrnes 573-751-1460
Rep. Jeff Coleman 573-751-1487
Rep. Bill Falkner 573-751-9755
Rep. Rodger Reedy 573-751-3971
Rep. Alex Riley 573-751-2210
Rep. Adam Schwadron 573-751-2949
Rep. Justin Sparks 573-751-0562
Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch 573-751-1169
Rep. Ken Waller 573-751-4451
–SUBMIT written testimony here: https://house.mo.gov/committees.aspx?category=all&committee=2861&year=2023&code=R%20&cluster=true
**Be sure to submit online testimony at least one hour prior to the hearing. Click the confirmation email you receive to ensure your statement is submitted.**
–TESTIFY in person in Jefferson City against these bills if possible
TELL STATE SENATORS TO REJECT BANS OR RESTRICTIONS ON RACE AND DIVERSITY EDUCATION
SS#2 SCS SBs 4, 42 & 89
Modifies provisions regarding elementary and secondary education
Sweeping education bill that includes GOP-backed restrictions on race and diversity education, establishes the Parents’ Bill of Rights, “Patriotic and Civics Training Program”, more.
Sponsor: Koenig
Last action: Feb 13 - Formal calendar Senate Bills for Third Reading
Bill summary here: https://senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Summary.aspx?SessionType=R&SummaryID=2045486&BillID=44578
Hearing SS#2 SCS SBs 4, 42 & 89
Committee: Senate Fiscal Oversight
Date: Monday, February 13
Time: 1:30pm
MO State Capitol
Room: Senate Lounge
Note: Only individuals or organizations testifying in person will be entered into the committee minutes.
Tell senators on the Fiscal Oversight Committee to reject all bans or restrictions on race and diversity education!
Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, Chair
Call: 573-751-2459
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter
Call: 573-751-2076
Sen. Mike Cierpiot
Call: 573-751-1464
Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman
Call: 573-751-1492
Sen. Travis Fitzwater
Call: 573-751-2757
Email: https://www.senate.mo.gov/DistrictWebApplication/Contact?DistrictNumber=10
Sen. Andrew Koenig
Call: 573-751-5568
Sen. John Rizzo
Call: 573-751-3074
Sen. Steven Roberts
Call: 573-751-4415
Find your senator using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default
Read more about this bill here: https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/08/missouri-senate-advances-parents-bill-of-rights/ Missouri Independent Feb 8
TELL STATE SENATORS TO CONDEMN “Don’t Say Gay” bill SB 134!
Senate Bill SB 134 sponsored by Sen. Mike Moon “Prohibits the discussion of gender identity or sexual orientation by school personnel”
“This act establishes the "Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act", which prohibits any school nurse, counselor, teacher, principal, or other personnel at a public or charter school from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation with a student unless such person is a licensed mental health provider with prior parental permission.
Read SB 134 summary here: https://senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=44406
Find your senator using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default
“Don’t Say Gay” bill in the news
“Missouri Senate debates ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill banning talk of sexual orientation or gender in schools”
“The Missouri bill, introduced by Republican Mike Moon, is even broader than Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" law. It would impact public and charter schools throughout grades K-12, and bans discussion of gender or sexual orientation unless it's by a licensed mental health provider with parental permission.
Republican state Sen. Mike Moon was adamant Tuesday that his bill to prohibit teachers from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity is not a “don’t say gay” bill.
But to Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat and the chamber’s only openly gay member, the label Moon chose for his bill didn’t matter. The policy he is trying to advance, Razer said, is “the most disrespectful bill I’ve ever seen in my seven years in this building.”
“It’s hard not to take it personally,” Razer said during Tuesday’s Senate Education and Workforce Development hearing. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt more disrespected by a single piece of legislation than this one.”
Moon’s bill is similar to one passed last year in Florida that received national attention. Florida’s so-called “don’t say gay” law restricts classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3 that goes beyond what the law defines as “developmentally appropriate.”
The Missouri version is broader, impacting public and charters schools from grades K-12 and only allowing discussion of gender or sexual orientation by a licensed mental health provider with parental permission.”
TELL YOUR STATE SENATOR VOTE NO ON HCS HB 301 SHAM PUBLIC SAFETY/CRIME BILL!
Modifies and establishes provisions relating to public safety
Passed House on Feb 9; Reported to Senate and First Read
Bill perfected summary: https://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills231/sumpdf/HB0301P.pdf
Find your senator using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default
HCS HB 301 is not about public safety or crime prevention!
Allows the Governor to override the local elected prosecutor and instead appoint a special prosecutor.
Originally targeted only St. Louis’ elected prosecutor Kimberly Gardner
The bill does nothing to prevent crime
Republicans stripped out a portion with bi-partisan support that would keep guns out of the hands of unsupervised minors in public areas.
Disenfranchises St. Louis voters and their elected officials while doing nothing to prevent crime by addressing the root causes.
CHECK OUT OUR 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
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS
TAKE ACTION WITH THE MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC)
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Join the MOVPC meeting MONDAY FEB 13 at 10 AM
Text “MOVPC” to 66866 or register HERE: bit.ly/protectmovoters
Our work to protect the vote requires our continued attention! So we hope you'll join our next MOVPC call where we will discuss next steps in our fight to protect the right to vote in Missouri. MOVPC is a nonpartisan statewide network promoting access to the ballot and working to remove barriers to voting in Missouri!
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UPCOMING APRIL 4 PRIMARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION IMPORTANT DATES
MARCH 8 Last Day to Register to Vote
FEBRUARY 21 In Person Absentee Voting Begins
MARCH 21 No Excuse In Person Absentee (Early) Voting Opens
For more information about registering to vote, checking your voter status, requesting an absentee ballot, and more visit:
Missouri Secretary of State - https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri
League of Women Voters Vote411 - https://www.vote411.org/
Vote 411 Personalized ballot and candidate information - https://www.vote411.org/ballot
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Democratic Legislative Network Monday Night Call
Every Monday night at 7pm
Want to stay up to date on what's happening in Jefferson City and how YOU can help secure Democratic victories for Missouri? Sign up below to join the Democratic Legislative Network and be a part of our Monday night messaging calls.
Sign up here: Bit.ly/MissouriDLN
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Moms Demand Action - Missouri Advocacy Day 2023
Tuesday, March 7 - 10AM
Missouri State Capitol
201 W Capitol Ave
Jefferson City, MO
Join Missouri Moms Demand Action supporters for one of our biggest and most important events of the year. Missourians will travel from all over the state to Jefferson City to discuss solutions to gun violence with our elected officials. Transportation options from around the state are being organized, and virtual options to participate are also forming. Make plans now to join us!
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Celebrate 2023 Black History Month (KC Metro)
Friends of Alvin Ailey
Setting the Stage: The Moving Story of African American Dance
Feb. 22 - 7pm
The Gem Theater
1615 E 18th St
Kansas City, MO 64108
Setting the Stage is a visual journey through African American dance history. Setting the Stage is performed by talented local and national artists demonstrating the evolution of American dance styles since the Middle Passage and chronicles historically important dancers and choreographers including Katherine Dunham and Alvin Ailey. 7 p.m. The Gem Theater.
For more information, visit kcfaa.org
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FIND MORE UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19AZUdtRH5WXefOC4Q5D9u-HyuzhBEL8rYX9Ospn3n18/edit?usp=sharing
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
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