09/11/23 Missouri Mondays - Remembering 9/11 - MO abortion rights initiative petition trial today
More news, events, and ways to get involved to make a difference! Help us spread the word!
Welcome to another Missouri Mondays!
It’s September 11 when we pause to remember the lives lost and those forever changed 22 years ago. “On one of our worst days, many Americans gave their best: their bravery, their selflessness, and their care for others. Today, let's honor the memory of those we lost and reaffirm our commitment to what they left behind: our families & communities, our democracy, and our country.” - Hillary Clinton
Also today Cole County Judge Jon Beetem will hear arguments in the trial over six proposed abortion rights initiative petitions filed back in early March. It seems Missouri’s Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft are not eager for voters to have their voice heard on abortion rights. They have managed to force legal delays well beyond what is required by law for the initiative petition process, presumably stalling with legal challenges to leave less time for signature gathering.
As reported last month in the Missouri Independent, “before supporters could collect signatures, they had to wait for Secretary of State Ashcroft to write a description of the proposal and for State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick to write a fiscal summary. That process, which by law can take up to 56 days, was stretched out to almost 150 days because Attorney General Bailey, who has responsibility to certify that the description and fiscal summary meet legal requirements, refused to accept Fitzpatrick’s work.”
Today’s trial is focused on Ashcroft’s deceptive ballot language. “Each version of the proposed amendment says there must be a “compelling governmental interest” for abortion restrictions to be put in place. And each summary has identical language on that issue – how the proposal impacts abortion rights.
Ashcroft wrote that the proposals would “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth, without requiring a medical license or potentially being subject to medical malpractice” and that they would “nullify longstanding Missouri law protecting the right to life, including but not limited to partial-birth abortion.”
“The ACLU argues that Ashcroft “disregarded his duty to craft a sufficient and fair summary statement and instead certified one that is argumentative against adoption of the initiative, is misleading as to the initiative’s probable effects, and prejudicial to initiative.”
Missourians deserve better. We are tired of extreme government overreach. We will not accept elected leaders silencing our voices by sabotaging direct democracy through the initiative petition process. It’s time to make change and we can do it together.
Thank you for staying informed and taking action with other pro-Democracy allies across Missouri! Help us spread the word and share this link to sign up for Missouri Mondays weekly email https://bit.ly/3pF99Uw.
Missouri in the News
Trial set for today September 11 on ballot language for Missouri abortion rights amendment
“Cole County Judge Beetem promises fast decision to get initiative delayed by fiscal note fight finalized for signature gathering”
“A Cole County judge promised Thursday he would rule quickly after a Sept. 11 trial over the language voters will see when they consider an initiative petition to reinstate the right to an abortion.
At a hearing on challenges to the ballot titles written for six proposed petitions, Circuit Judge Jon Beetem told attorneys that he knows whatever he decides will be appealed. And after a recently resolved dispute between State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick and Attorney General Andrew Bailey delayed other action on the petitions for more than 100 days, time is short for the collection of roughly 170,000 signatures needed to make the 2024 ballot.
Beetem asked ACLU of Missouri attorney Tony Rothert and Assistant Attorney General Jason Lewis to have proposed findings ready for him at the trial on Sept. 11 so he can quickly render a judgment.
“My goal is to get something pumped down pretty quick so you can go wherever you want to go next, depending on who’s unhappy,” Beetem said.”
https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/03/trial-set-for-sept-11-on-ballot-title-for-missouri-abortion-rights-amendment/ Missouri Independent Aug 3 2023
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“State push to defund Missouri Planned Parenthood clinics continues in appeal”
“The attorney general’s office filed a brief last week arguing a trial court decision that forbid the state from zeroing out the Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood services should be reversed”
Missouri’s Supreme Court will once again determine whether the state has the authority to restrict public funds from going to Planned Parenthood, after the attorney general formally filed its appeal last week of a December ruling that deemed the effort unconstitutional.
After the state legislature voted to block Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid reimbursements last year, Planned Parenthood sued. In December, Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem concluded it was unconstitutional for the state to deny access to funds available to other health care providers.
The attorney general’s office announced its intention to appeal earlier this year, and last week filed the appeal on behalf of the Department of Social Services, which oversees Missouri’s Medicaid program.”
“Yamelsie Rodríguez, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, said her organization is confident “the Supreme Court will — yet again — reject this clear political attack on a trusted health care provider and affirm the lower court’s ruling in favor of Planned Parenthood.”
“Our elected leaders should stop playing games with their constituents’ health care and putting our patients’ health care access at risk,” Rodríguez added.”
https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/08/state-push-to-defund-missouri-planned-parenthood-clinics-continues-in-appeal/ Missouri Independent Sept 8 2023
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Millions enrolled in Biden administration’s new student loan repayment program including 82,300 in Missouri
“More than 4 million federal student loan borrowers are enrolled in the Biden administration’s new repayment program, according to figures released Tuesday by the Department of Education.
With the pause of more than three years on federal student loan repayments coming to an end in October, and the Supreme Court’s summer decision to strike down the White House’s one-time debt relief program, the Department of Education has rolled out several repayment and loan forgiveness programs. One of those initiatives is the Saving on A Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan that for some borrowers could result in no monthly payments.
“Our top priority is to support borrowers as they prepare to return to repayment with the tools and resources that they need,” Jason Miller, deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget, said on a call with reporters Tuesday.
The new income-driven repayment plan calculates payments based on a borrower’s income and family size and forgives balances after a set number of years. The Department of Education has estimated that most borrowers will save about $1,000 per year under the new plan.
Borrowers who are currently in the Revised Pay as You Earn plan, will automatically be enrolled in the SAVE program.
So far, the states with the highest number of borrowers enrolled in the program are Texas, with 345,800, California with 331,600, Florida with 291,100, New York with 212,800 and Pennsylvania with 170,200.
There are 82,300 borrowers enrolled in Missouri.
James Kvaal, the undersecretary of Education, said no borrowers will owe payments if they make $15 an hour while supporting a family, and that borrowers will not see their balances grow due to unpaid interest “as long as they keep up with their payments.”
https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/millions-enrolled-in-new-student-loan-repayment-program/ Missouri Independent Sept 5 2023
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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
UPCOMING EVENTS - WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
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 the necessary 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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DISABILITY VOTING RIGHTS WEEK
SEPTEMBER 11-15, 2023
There are over 38 million people with disabilities who are eligible to vote, but access barriers keep many disabled voters from accessing their right to vote. Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) is all about protecting the rights of people with disabilities to participate fully in our democracy.
Learn More at: https://www.aapd.com/disability-voting-rights-week/
ENGAGE!
Day 1, September 11: Register or check your status,and Pledge to Vote
Day 2, September 12: Learn What’s on Your Ballot
Day 3, September 13: Make a Plan to Vote
Day 4, September 14: Break Down Barriers
Day 5, September 15: Celebrate Our Power
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Uzazi Village 9th Annual Black Infant Mortality Awareness Walk
Sept 16, 2023
8:00am Registration
9:00am Start time
Walk from KCMO Health Department to Uzazi Village
KCMO Health Dept address is 2400 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO
Uzazi Village is a nonprofit centering on Black and Brown families in maternal and infant healthcare. September is National Infant Mortality Month with the third Saturday dedicated to Black Infants. This annual walk helps to bring awareness to the disparities in healthcare and helps to raise funds for Uzazi Village to continue to offer free services to the Black and Brown birthing community.
Sept 16 event details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/9th-annual-black-infant-mortality-awareness-walk-tickets-697197495477
For more information about Black Infant Mortality Awareness, visit www.uzazivillage.org
Donate to help support the work of Uzazi Village: https://uzazivillage.org/donate/
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NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY 2023 IS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy. It has quickly gained momentum since it was first observed in 2012, with more than 5 million voters registered to vote on the holiday to date. Celebrated every September, National Voter Registration Day involves volunteers and organizations from all over the country hitting the streets in a single day of coordinated field, technology, and media efforts.
According to U.S. Census data from 2020, as many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans are not registered to vote. Every year, millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. National Voter Registration Day efforts are designed to ensure every eligible voter has the opportunity to vote, creating broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise.
Get #VoteReady! Find more information and voting resources here: https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/
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IMPORTANT MISSOURI VOTER INFORMATION!
Next Election - November 7, 2023 Special Election
Election Day: November 7, 2023
Polls Open: 6:00 a.m.
Polls Close: 7:00 p.m.
Last Day to Register: October 11, 2023
In Person Absentee Voting Begins: September 26, 2023
Military & Overseas Portal opens: September 19, 2023
Applications mailed to permanently disabled: September 22, 2023
No Excuse In Person Absentee (Early) Voting Opens: October 24, 2023
Sample Ballot for the Nov 7 Special Election (Kansas City, Jackson County) here: https://www.kceb.org/useruploads/Sample_Ballot_11-23_Final.pdf
More voter information resources
Jackson County MO voters in Kansas City: https://www.kceb.org
All other Jackson County MO voters: https://jcebmo.org/
State of Missouri voter information: https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri
League of Women Voters of Kansas City, Jackson-Clay-Platte Counties: https://www.lwvkc.org/
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Crystal Quade for Governor
Kansas City Happy Hour
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
5:30 - 7:30
The Classic Cup
301 W 47th St.
Kansas City, MO
Join us for an event supporting Crystal Quade's campaign for Governor! You can also make a donation to help elect Crystal here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/quadewebsite
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League of Women Voters Kansas City, Jackson-Clay-Platte Counties
Peace, Love, Vote! Fundraiser
Wednesday, September 20
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Eggtc.
5107 Main Street
Kansas City, MO
Register and buy your ticket ($50) here: https://lwvkc.org/content.aspx?page_id=4008&club_id=477430&item_id=2052359
For more information contact Lisa Albright: membershipmeetings@lwvkc.org
Reasons to come to Peace, Love, Vote!
* Yummy food and cash bar with delicious drinks
* Fun 70s trivia and groovy music
* The chance to buy tickets for amazing raffle prizes
* The chance to show off your inner flower child
* Friends and Fun Fun Fun!
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MO State Rep. Patty Lewis
Re-election Campaign Kickoff for House District 25
Thursday, Sept 21st
5:30-7:30pm
The Well
7421 Broadway Street
Kansas City, MO 64114
Event information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/780826457059387
It is an honor to represent the citizens of District 25 and it is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I hope to continue to serve Missourians and I am pleased to share with you that I am seeking re-election in 2024!
Please join me on Thursday, September 21st 5:30-7:30pm at The Well, 7421 Broadway Street, Kansas City, MO 64114 for my official Re-election Campaign Kickoff for House District 25.
See you there! Bring family, friends, and neighbors!
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MO State Rep. Kemp Strickler
End of Quarter Fundraiser
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
5:30 - 7:00 PM
Llywelyn’s Pub
301 SE Douglas St
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Join us for a fundraiser in support of Kemp Strickler!
Donations can be made online at www.kempstrickler.com or by mail, Friends of Kemp Strickler, PO Box 2468, Lee's Summit, MO 64063. Please include employer and occupation for required reporting purposes.
Stay for a special guest speaker--Jess Piper, Executive Director for Blue Missouir and host of the "Dirt Road Democrat" podcast.
Jess Piper Guest Speaker for Lee's Smmit Dems
Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Llywelyn's Pub
301 SE Douglas St.
Lee's Summit, MO
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2023 Abortion Action Missouri Gala
Friday, September 29, 2023 @ 6:00 PM
.ZACK
3224 Locust St
Saint Louis, MO 63103
RSVP here by Sept 15: bit.ly/AAMgala
It is time once again for Pro-Choice Missouri's annual Auction & Gala. But wait! Something's a little different this year. That's right – Pro-Choice Missouri is now officially Abortion Action Missouri! Join us as we celebrate our new name as well as the generosity of our supporters, hear from inspiring speakers, present awards to champions of reproductive freedom in our community, and raise critical funds to rebuild abortion in Missouri. We want Missouri's anti-abortion politicians to know that their continued attacks on our bodily autonomy have not broken our collective spirit. Let's show them that Abortion Action Missouri isn't going anywhere, and that we will continue to loudly and proudly advocate for liberated abortion access and reproductive freedom in our state.
Along with our new name and organizational identity, we're trying something a little different for Gala this year. In lieu of a seated dinner, the event will begin with a cocktail party and then move into our awards and speakers program. This means more uninterrupted schmooze time with your friends, more time to peruse the silent auction, and more yummy appetizers!
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HELP SUPPORT AND ELECT MISSOURI HOUSE DEMOCRATS
Get involved! Join the MO Democratic Legislative Network!
The Democratic Legislative Network is building a community of dedicated activists to support our ideals, our message and our candidates in Missouri. Get involved in your area: https://www.mohousedems.com/get-involved
Make a donation!
Every. Election. Matters. Every gift can help.
Donate today and help us keep building the infrastructure needed to recruit, train, and support local candidates in Missouri.
Organizing efforts require year-round work, not just when there is an upcoming election, and your donation will help build the groundwork needed to bring real change benefitting all Missourians.
Donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mhd-donate-now
FIND EVENTS AND MORE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED HERE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19AZUdtRH5WXefOC4Q5D9u-HyuzhBEL8rYX9Ospn3n18/edit?usp=sharing
THANK YOU! for staying informed and taking action to make a difference!
Invite your friends and neighbors to join us and sign up for Missouri Action Alliance and this Missouri Mondays weekly email at https://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
