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03/06/23 Missouri Mondays - Stand with MO Moms Demand on March 7! Register to vote by March 8!

Keep fighting for initiative petitions, voting rights!






Welcome to another Missouri Mondays! Thank you for staying informed and taking action each week. We shine a light on our state legislature and provide everything you need to easily connect with lawmakers on the issues of importance to you. Your voice matters! Help us spread the word to get involved and sign up for Missouri Mondays updates here: https://www.moactionalliance.com/signup

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS WEEK!


TELL STATE SENATORS TO SUPPORT VOTING RIGHTS RESTORATION BILL


Those who have served their time deserve the right to vote! Under current law, no person shall be entitled to vote while confined under a sentence of imprisonment or while on probation or parole after conviction of a felony, until finally discharged from such probation or parole. SB 376 changes those prohibitions by only prohibiting persons from voting while confined under a sentence of imprisonment after conviction of a felony or after conviction of a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage.

SB 376


  • Eliminates law prohibiting those on probation / parole for felonies from voting.

  • Restores voting rights after release from incarceration.

  • Currently, Missourians are not eligible to vote during any period of incarceration, plus any period of probation or parole for a felony conviction. This would change existing law by only prohibiting persons from voting while incarcerated for a felony conviction (or misdemeanor associated with right of suffrage). Also eliminates voting restrictions for those incarcerated for misdemeanors.

  • Nationwide, nearly 5 million people are disenfranchised due to a felony conviction in their past -- more than 3/4 of those who are disenfranchised are not incarcerated, but living in our communities, having completed their sentences, or while being on probation or parole. These people are working and paying taxes, yet they have no voice in government.

  • Voters of color are significantly disproportionately disqualified from voting due to these so-called "felon disenfranchisement laws," which have roots in the post-civil war era to keep African Americans from voting.

  • One in 19 African Americans of voting age is disenfranchised due to a felony - a rate 3.5 times that of non-African Americans. Among the adult African American population, 5.3 percent is disenfranchised compared to 1.5 percent of the adult non-African American population.


MONDAY MARCH 6 at 2:00 pm

Missouri State Capitol, Jefferson City

Senate Committee Hearing Room 2


*Only those appearing in person will have testimony entered into the record. No online testimony.


TESTIFY in person if possible


CONTACT these Senate committee members and tell them to support SB 376


Sen. Elaine Gannon, Chair

Call: 573-751-4008


Sen. Sandy Crawford, V-Chair

Call: 573-751-8793


Sen. Jill Carter

Call: 573-751-2173

Email: jill.carter@senate.mo.gov


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– and tell them to support SB 376. Find your senator using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default


 

KEEP FIGHTING TO PROTECT THE CITIZEN’S INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS!


The MO GOP is desperate to undermine the will of Missourians by making it harder if not impossible to place a measure on the ballot through the initiative petition process and pass it statewide. THANK YOU for making phone calls, submitting testimony or testifying on bills that would gut the IP process! Keep fighting!


TELL YOUR SENATOR to vote NO on HCS HJR43 and ANY such legislation making initiative petition process more difficult!



  • would increase the threshold for passage of constitutional amendments from a simple majority to 60%.

  • Statutory initiatives would pass with a simple majority.

  • Defines "eligible voters" as only US citizens and residents of Missouri.

  • Requires the Secretary of State to provide voters in each Congressional district with a period in which to review and comment upon all initiative petitions proposing amendments to the Constitution.


About our current initiative petition process (from Missouri Voter Protection Coalition (MOVPC)


  • Since 1907 Missourians have made their voices heard through the initiative petition process.

  • Missourians across the political spectrum have benefitted from the citizen initiative process.

  • Measures passed by a majority - as is currently the case - reflect the will of the people. Making it more difficult undermines the will of the people.

  • Lawmakers should reject efforts to make direct democracy more difficult - the citizenship language stands to weaken the protection for our right to vote in our constitution.


Find your senator using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default


Read testimony in opposition to HCS HJR 43 from Missouri Voter Protection Coalition (MOVPC) here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qe32-sdwgSmKTCowLTChqPo46wrh4HtA/view


Find additional legislation information in the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition (MOVPC) Legislative Tracker here: bit.ly/movotingbills



TELL STATE REPRESENTATIVES TO VOTE NO GUNS ON BUSES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION! NO TO HB 282!

  • Currently, it is a crime to board a bus with a dangerous or deadly weapon or carry such a weapon in a terminal.

  • HB 282 would allow a concealed carry permit holder to lawfully carry firearms on public transportation, as defined in the bill. Anyone with a permit may also carry a firearm while traveling by bus.

  • This bill lowers the age requirement for concealed carry permit to 18 years of age.

  • Those who have previously plead guilty to a crime would be eligible for a concealed carry permit under HB 282



Hearing on HB 282 in House Emerging Issues Committee

Wednesday, March 8

4:30 PM or upon adjournment (whichever is later)

House Hearing Room 6


SUBMIT TESTIMONY in OPPOSITION to HB 282 here: https://house.mo.gov/WitnessForm/Default.aspx?bill=HB282&noticeid=7541

TESTIFY in person if possible


TELL these Representatives to vote NO on HB 282!


Rep. Bill Hardwick 573-751-3834

Rep. Dane Diehl 573-751-4065

Rep. Ashley Aune 573-751-3618

Rep. Bishop Davidson 573-751-2381

Rep. Jeff Farnan 573-751-9465

Rep. Sherri Gallick 573-751-1344

Rep. Mike Haffner 573-751-3783

Rep. Dave Hinman 573-751-2176

Rep. Josh Hurlbert 573-751-0246

Rep. Jamie Johnson 573-751-9760

Rep. Holly Jones 573-751-7535

Rep. Doug Mann 573-751-2134

Rep. Adam Schnelting 573-751-5365

Rep. David Tyson Smith 573-751-9753


 

TELL YOUR SENATOR TO SUPPORT SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR DIAPERS AND FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS IN SCS/SBs 73 & 162


Find your senator using the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default

 

CHECK OUT OUR MISSOURI MONDAYS NEWS SUPPLEMENT!




With so much important news each week we don’t want you to miss a thing!


 

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 weekly meeting MONDAYS 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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MOMS DEMAND ACTION - MISSOURI ADVOCACY DAY 2023

Tuesday, March 7 - 10AM

Missouri State Capitol

201 W Capitol Ave

Jefferson City, MO

RSVP here: bit.ly/MoAD23RSVP



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.


Spend the day with 100s of volunteers from across the state! Meet your lawmakers!

EVERYONE is welcome!

You don’t have to be a mom.

You don’t have to be a seasoned volunteer.


If you care about ending Gun Violence you are welcome!


Sign Up here: bit.ly/MoAD23RSVP


~~~~~


UPCOMING APRIL 4 PRIMARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION IMPORTANT DATES




NOTE: WED MARCH 8 - LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN APRIL 4 ELECTION


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:



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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MARCH IS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH


From Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice--


March is Women’s History Month. Its roots date back to March 8, 1857 when women from various New York City factories staged a protest over poor working conditions. In 1981, Congress established National Women's History Week and later expanded the week to a month.

Equal Pay Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the gender pay gap, also falls in March (March 14). The pay gap for women working full-time is 83 cents, but for all women, including part-time and seasonal work it is 77 cents. According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW) women have only 32% of the wealth men have accumulated, impacting women for their lifetime. At the current rate of progress, the gender pay gap will not close until 2111. Read more in the AAUW’s, "The Simple Truth About the Gender Pay Gap," report.


In 2021, 36.1% of women and 33.9% of men 25 and older had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. Despite the similarity in educational achievement, women held two-thirds of the nation's student debt ($929 billion).


Issues to follow: legislation regarding equity in education, pay equity, the pink tax, violence against women, reproductive rights, health care funding, and passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. Take advantage of additional ways to engage and support women’s issues by attending candidate forums and working to get more women elected to office (who currently make up only 32% of elected officials).


Want to learn more and advocate for women and girls? Contact chair, Karen Francis, to join the Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice advocacy committee on the fourth Monday of every month at 1 p.m. advocacy@womensvoicesraised.org


Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice– An organization composed primarily of women brings a unique perspective to many social justice issues. In addition, Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice gives its members an opportunity to work on a number of issues, rather than just one cause.


Whether you are passionate about common sense gun solutions, the environment, healthcare for all, human rights, racial justice, economic justice, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights or other issues, you will find other women at Women’s Voices who share your curiosity, concern and commitment.


Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice


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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

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