08/09/21 - Missouri Mondays - McCloskeys pardoned, MO hospitals brace for COVID surge, and more!
It’s another week with important news, events and actions to make a difference, so let’s jump right in!
GOV. PARSON PARDONS GOP U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE MCCLOSKEY WHO POINTED GUNS AT BLM PROTESTORS, LEAVES KEVIN STRICKLAND AND LAMAR JOHNSON IN PRISON
Wrongfully convicted Kevin Strickland and Lamar Johnson still sit behind bars but Governor Parson fulfilled his promise to pardon St. Louis attorneys Mike and Patricia McCloskey who pleaded guilty in June to misdemeanor charges for pointing guns at peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters passing by their home last year. Mike McCloskey, a Republican, is running for Roy Blunt’s U.S. Senate seat. In an interview August 4th on The Rachel Maddow Show, Missouri House Minority Floor Leader Crystal Quade told guest host Ali Velshi, “The Governor's refusal to pardon wrongfully convicted Missourians like Kevin Strickland and Lamar Johnson while prioritizing pardoning GOP U.S. Senate candidate Mark McCloskey is a disgusting, horrific, injustice. Our justice system shouldn't be abused to score political points.”
Help Kevin Strickland by donating to his GoFundMe fund organized by the Midwest Innocence Project: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kevin-strickland-after-wrongful-conviction
Help keep MO Rep. Crystal Quade fighting for justice, access to healthcare, quality education, living wages, affordable childcare and more: http://www.upballot.com/crystal-quade
MISSOURI COVID UPDATE - Week 8/1-8/8
The White House reported that Missouri is among the 7 states that account for half of all new COVID cases and hospitalizations in the U.S. -- 42 new cases per 100,000 in the last week, 2,879 daily case average on August 7, and 42% of MO population fully vaccinated - Yahoo Aug 8 2021. Kansas City reported its highest COVID cases rate since the pandemic began. Some Missouri hospitals are bracing for another surge of COVID cases and deaths fueled by the Delta variant and health experts are sounding the alarm that it will be worse than previous surges. CBS News Aug 8 2021 Despite these numbers and medical expert warnings, Eric Schmitt our GOP Attorney General and candidate for U.S. Senate, filed lawsuits against St. Louis and Kansas City over reinstated indoor mask mandates. In its scathing rebuke of AG Schmitt, the KC Star Editorial Board writes, “He is not much of an attorney. His lawsuits are routinely tossed out of court, dismissed before they even begin. But then, Schmitt doesn’t file cases in order to win, or even argue. He files them to get on TV. He lost on Missouri Medicaid expansion. He lost on voter fraud and the 2020 election. He lost on the Affordable Care Act. He sued China. He’s suing the Biden administration.” “Schmitt’s performative pandering to the Republican base in hopes of winning higher office is not only craven, but dangerous.” KC Star Aug 5 If you haven’t already, tell AG Schmitt how you feel about his reckless use of the power of his office and wasting our tax dollars! AG Office Phone: 573-751-3321 / Contact via online form: https://ago.mo.gov/about-us/contact-us.
LET’S GET VACCINATED MISSOURI! - PLEASE SHARE THIS RESOURCES LINK WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
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
MEDICAID EXPANSION UPDATE
A Medicaid expansion hearing was held last Friday, August 6 before Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem. As reported in the Kansas City Star, “The matter is back in Beetem’s hands after a unanimous ruling by the Supreme Court last month that the state is obligated to follow the constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2020 and enroll the estimated 275,000 who are eligible.” “Medicaid expansion was supposed to begin July 1, and the state Supreme Court upheld the voter-approved plan. But Missouri officials said Friday that they still need two months before accepting newly eligible low-income residents into the program. Missouri solicitor general Dean John Sauer told a Cole County judge that the state and Medicaid expansion advocates have “radically different expectations” of how long it would take for the program to be set up. The advocates have asked Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem to order that enrollment begin immediately. They expect Beetem to decide on the matter in the next few days.”
THERE IS GOOD NEWS IN MISSOURI!
Again this week we want to take an opportunity to highlight and share good news out of Jefferson City and thank state legislators who work so hard for us in Missouri.
Congratulations to Representatives Ian Mackey, Crystal Quade, Keri Ingle, Martha Stevens, and Paula Brown for their work on HB 432!
Rep. Ian Mackey added language that creates the Missouri Food Security Task Force and also allows SNAP recipients to use benefits at farmers’ markets.
Rep. Crystal Quade’s language provides help for struggling new parents with the costs of early childhood.
Rep. Keri Ingle added protections for unaccompanied youth who need access to support services.
Rep. Martha Stevens added language “that directs the state to apply for a federal grant to better enable women, infants, and children to get healthy food at Missouri farmer's markets.”
Rep. Paula Brown worked on language that requires a place for teachers and students to comfortably nurse their children.
Thank you all for your dedication to helping the people of Missouri!
UPCOMING EVENTS THIS WEEK!
HELP PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN MISSOURI WITH THE MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC)
Join Missouri Voter Protection Coalition Zoom weekly meeting with statewide advocates working to protect the right to vote in Missouri.
TODAY Monday August 9 at 10AM
Sign up HERE or text “MOVPC” to 66866 and watch for an email with details and the link to join the meeting
~~~~~~~~~~
DEMOCRACY CAN’T WAIT DAY OF ACTION TUESDAY AUGUST 10! THE U.S. SENATE MUST PASS THE FOR THE PEOPLE ACT!
Now is the time for the Senate to do their job and pass the For the People Act!
On August 16th, the census data will be released, allowing states to begin drawing new maps for state and federal districts. If passed before the deadline, the For the People Act will ensure fair districting, keeping our communities whole and ensuring our communities can thrive for the next 10 years and beyond. The For the People Act will create a federal standard to protect our freedom to vote and to create a democracy that truly represents and responds to the American people. Now is the time to act. The Senate needs to do their job by passing the For the People Act before redistricting can start on August 16th.
Tell Senators Blunt and Hawley to support the For the People Act!
*CALL 1.888.453.3211 TWICE TO REACH BOTH OFFICES!
Suggested script: "I'm asking the Senator to support passage of the For the People Act to protect the right to vote before leaving for recess because our democracy can’t wait!"
For more information go to the Declaration for American Democracy Coalition website at https://dfadcoalition.org/dcw/
~~~~~~~~~~
TESTIMONY TRAINING
Tuesday, August 10, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Sponsored by the ACLU of Missouri
When bills are proposed in the state legislature, members of the public can speak publicly to make their voices heard. Learn how. RSVP here
When bills are proposed in the state legislature, there is an opportunity for members of the public to voice opinions for (in support of) or against (in opposition of) it. Testimony is a very important part of the lawmaking process because it gives community members a place and time to advocate for policies directly to representatives. If the 2021 MO Leg session showed Missourians anything, it is that our voices are needed now more than ever. In an effort to demystify the legislative process and ensure better advocacy from the people and their important community concerns, please join our 2021 Testimony Tuesday’s Summer Series.
~~~~~~~~~~
MOVEMENT BRIEFING: DEMOCRACY RISING WEBINAR WITH STACEY ABRAMS!
Wednesday, August 11, 2:00 PM
RSVP HERE
Join the next in these bi-weekly briefings on Wednesday, August 11th WITH SPECIAL GUEST STACEY ABRAMS! We’ll go over the latest developments on the For the People Act, election review scams in states, and what to expect as we head into the redistricting process. As always, we’ll have the latest updated messaging guidance based on recent research. These briefings occur bi-weekly on Wednesdays at 2pm CT.
~~~~~~~~~~
STATEWIDE VIRTUAL VOTER REGISTRATION TRAINING
Hosted by Missouri House Democrats - Democratic Legislative Network
Thursday, August 12 at 6:00 PM
Register HERE: https://click.ngpvan.com/k/33640049/299509083/-1496150082
Learn how to register voters in MO and help build towards a 2022 victory!
~~~~~~~~~~
FIND MORE AUGUST EVENTS HERE AND MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19AZUdtRH5WXefOC4Q5D9u-HyuzhBEL8rYX9Ospn3n18/edit?usp=sharing
Missourians Vaccinated - as of Sunday August 8 The New York Times
42% of Missourians are fully vaccinated - (50% fully vaccinated in the U.S.)
50% of Missourians have received at least one dose - (58% at least one does in the U.S.
~~~~~~~~~~
Total COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in Missouri
586,860 confirmed cases and 9,828 deaths as of Sat August 7 MO Dept of Health and Senior Services
715,882 total cases and 10,490 deaths as of Sun August 8 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
In solidarity,
Missouri Action Alliance
