10/09/23 Missouri Mondays - Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day / Oct 11 last day to register for Nov 7
Oct 11 last day to register for Nov 7 Election / DNC Chairman and Committee members join striking MO UAW workers / GOP extremist Gaetz forces vote ousting Speaker McCarthy / Hamas attacks Israel - How you can help victims
Welcome to another Missouri Mondays!
It’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day to “honor Native Americans, their resilience and their contributions to U.S. society in the face of generations of assimilation, discrimination and genocide. It shifts focus away from the federal holiday named after Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, who is credited with discovering the Americas — despite the devastating effects that colonization had on the Indigenous people who already lived there.” Find Indigenous Peoples’ Day activities and recommended books and podcasts here: https://www.npr.org/2023/10/09/1204151646/up-first-briefing-indigenous-peoples-day-history-celebrate
Our hearts are with all those affected by the horrific terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas. In his remarks on Saturday President Biden said, “Today, the people of Israel are under attack, orchestrated by a terrorist organization, Hamas. In this moment of tragedy, I want to say to them and to the world and to terrorists everywhere that the United States stands with Israel. We will not ever fail to have their back. We’ll make sure they have the help their citizens need and they can continue to defend themselves.” Find a list of organizations calling for peace and helping the victims of this war here: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a45477422/how-to-help-victims-war-israel-palestine-donate/
And last week for the first time in Congress’ 234-year history the U.S. House speaker was removed. Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed “after Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz acted Monday night to force a vote on a motion to vacate the office of the speaker, following through on a threat he made last week to take the gavel from McCarthy while the threat of a shutdown loomed. While other speakers throughout history have stepped down after losing the support of their party, McCarthy is the first to be ousted through a vote of the full House in the middle of a congressional term. "It's uncharted territory because we've never done that in the history of the United States," Matthew Green, a politics professor at Catholic University, told CBS News.
Especially in these challenging times, we thank you for staying informed with us each week and for taking action with allies across Missouri to support and elect pro-Democracy leaders and defeat extremists threatening our rights and freedoms. Together we make a difference! 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
DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison and nearly 100 other DNC members join striking UAW Local 2250 workers on the picket line in Wentzville Oct 7 https://www.facebook.com/UAWLocal2250
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“Josh Hawley doesn't stand with workers, he just poses - There’s a difference between staging a photo op with unions and voting to fight for us.”
“Isn’t it great that Josh Hawley — a Republican — showed up to the picket line?” That’s a thing I’ve seen a number of people say in the past few days.”
“There’s a stark difference between staging a photo op with unions when our approval numbers are high, on the one hand, and taking real votes in the Senate to fight for us on the other. We need reporters and others in the media to understand that difference.
We’re out here doing our jobs: We build the cars, vans and trucks that this nation depends on. That’s our job.
Your job, if you’re in the Senate — or any other public office — is to vote to protect the people of your state. Vote to keep and re-shore jobs in this country. Vote for workers like us to earn a living wage. Vote to fight back against massive corporations. It’s not enough just to talk about it or to write op-eds about how talking about it helps you win elections — you have to actually do it.
We do our job. Josh Hawley isn’t doing his.
In Missouri, he supported the anti-union "right to work" scam in 2018 (we beat that back at the ballot by huge margins). He opposed a minimum wage increase (we secured that at the ballot, too). He is opposed to the PRO Act. And in the Senate, he’s gotten a 0% score from the UAW for his votes on the actual priorities of America’s autoworkers. He’s even a reliable vote against legislation to create more jobs here in Missouri.
Working people aren’t stupid. Nor are we props. We follow the money. We know that this so-called populist has taken thousands of dollars from the Big 3. We know he’s taken thousands from a nonunion foreign company like Toyota. We always follow the money because that’s what seems to call the shots in Washington.
And we know he’s only changed his tune because of polling and the fact that he’s up for re-election next year — not because of any real support for workers.
Like I said, this isn’t my first rodeo. I know a fraud when I see one. And working people are sick and tired of it.”
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/uaw-strike-josh-hawley-rcna119064 MSNBC Oct 6 Opinion Glenn Kage, UAW Local 2250 legislative chair
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“‘Critical infrastructure’: Missouri child care shortage called a crisis for employers - Lawmakers approved higher rates, money for school-based programs. But a late Senate filibuster killed a package of tax credits aimed at expanding space for kids”
“To pass a package of tax credits designed to expand affordable child care will require getting by the “knuckleheads” in the state Senate, Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan said Wednesday.
As he greeted the audience and panelists at a forum on the state’s child care needs in Columbia, Mehan blamed the defeat of a bill crafted as part of Gov. Mike Parson’s legislative package on Republican factionalism in the Missouri Senate. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Brenda Shields, was one step away from advancing to the Senate floor when filibusters first stalled, then ended, its chances for passage.
He singled out Sen. Bill Eigel, a leader amongst senators who regularly engaged in filibusters and a candidate in the GOP gubernatorial primary, for scorn.
“You can’t go to work if your kids have nowhere to go,” Mehan told the crowd of about 100 gathered at the University of Missouri’s Center for Family Policy and Research. “Due to knuckleheads doing filibusters – Bill Eigel – it didn’t come up for a vote.”
“During the forum, panelists repeatedly called the situation a crisis for employers and focused on the benefits that could come from Shields’ legislation. The bill offered credits for donations to support child care centers, business investment in child care needs for employees and investments to expand child care facilities. It was part of a package to support child care needs.”
https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/05/critical-infrastructure-missouri-child-care-shortage-called-a-crisis-for-employers/ Missouri Independent Oct 5
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“St. Louis mega-donor drops $425K into Missouri campaigns in last week”
Rex Sinquefield, a retired investor from St. Louis and Missouri’s most prolific political donor, cut $425,000 worth of checks to PACs supporting eight different candidates in the last week — with the largest going to bolster Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s bid for governor.”
“His $250,000 contribution to Kehoe brings Sinquefield’s total given to his campaign to $750,000.
Sinquefield also donated $25,000 each to two GOP candidates for state treasurer — state Sen. Andrew Koenig and state Rep. Cody Smith. He gave $25,000 to Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, who is rumored to be eyeing a run for secretary of state, and to Sen. Denny Hoskins, who is already in that GOP primary.
He also donated $25,000 to two state representatives running for the state Senate: Phil Christofanelli and Chris Dinkins, and to a state senator who is term-limited, Tony Luetkemeyer.
Raised in a St. Louis-area orphanage, Sinquefield made his fortune after founding the money management firm Dimensional Fund Advisors. He retired in 2005 and returned to Missouri.
Since then, he has donated millions through the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation to various causes, including a music composition program at the University of Missouri in Columbia and the St. Vincent Home for Children, the orphanage where Sinquefield grew up.
A huge chess enthusiast, Sinquefield worked to turn St. Louis into the nation’s chess capital by relocating the World Chess Hall of Fame there.
He also began spending big in politics, primarily in service to his main policy priorities: Revamping the state’s education system and eliminating the Missouri income tax. Over the last decade, Sinquefield has given more than $42 million in campaign contributions in Missouri — mostly to Republicans, though not exclusively.”
https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/st-louis-mega-donor-drops-425k-into-missouri-campaigns-in-last-week/ Missouri Independent Oct 3
National News
“Israel formally declares war against Hamas as it battles to push militants off its soil”
“Israel has formally declared war on Hamas, setting the stage for a major military operation in Gaza as fighting rages on Israeli soil. Tanks and personnel carriers could be seen on the move near the Israel-Gaza border on Sunday, after Hamas – an Islamist militant group – launched a surprise assault this weekend that has so far killed over 700 Israelis.
Saturday was the deadliest day in decades for Israel and came after months of surging violence between Palestinians and Israelis, with the long-running conflict now heading into uncharted and dangerous new territory. Questions remain over how the Israeli military and intelligence apparatus appeared to be caught off guard in one of the country’s worst security failures.
Over 400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as Israel responds with airstrikes in the densely-inhabited enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation, warning his country would take “mighty vengeance” and was readying for “a long and difficult war.”
He urged Palestinians living in Gaza to “leave now.”
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/08/middleeast/israel-gaza-attack-hostages-response-intl-hnk/index.html updated Oct 8
Read President Biden’s full remarks on the terrorist attacks in Israel: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/10/07/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-terrorist-attacks-in-israel/ Oct 7
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“Kevin McCarthy has been ousted as speaker of the House. Here's what happens next.”
The House on Tuesday voted 216 to 210 to remove California Republican Kevin McCarthy from his position as House speaker, a historic move that comes days after he reached an 11th-hour deal to avert a government shutdown with the help of House Democrats.
The ouster came after Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz acted Monday night to force a vote on a motion to vacate the office of the speaker, following through on a threat he made last week to take the gavel from the California Republican while the threat of a shutdown loomed.
While other speakers throughout history have stepped down after losing the support of their party, McCarthy is the first to be ousted through a vote of the full House in the middle of a congressional term.
"It's uncharted territory because we've never done that in the history of the United States," Matthew Green, a politics professor at Catholic University, told CBS News.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kevin-mccarthy-removed-house-speaker-what-happens-next/ CBS News updated Oct 5
Read more here: https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/05/how-does-a-frozen-u-s-house-function-without-a-speaker-everyones-got-an-opinion/ Missouri Independent Oct 5
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“Biden approved $9 billion in student loan debt relief. Here's what you need to know. The aid will benefit 125,000 borrowers, including 53,000 people who worked in public service for a decade or more.”
“President Joe Biden announced last week that his administration has signed off on $9 billion in student loan debt forgiveness for 125,000 people across the U.S. "By freeing millions of Americans from the crushing burden of student debt, it means they can go and get their lives in order," Biden said in remarks at the White House on Wednesday.
Here’s what you need to know about how the relief program will work, and what it might mean for you.
Who will get the aid?
More than $5.2 billion in new debt relief will go to 53,000 borrowers under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs, which cover people who worked in public service for a decade or more and made 120 qualifying payments. (The White House says eligible borrowers include people who worked for federal, state, local or tribal governments, or a nonprofit group.)
Around $2.8 billion in relief will go to almost 51,000 borrowers enrolled in income-driven repayment plans, which apply to people who made at least 20 years of payments but "never got the relief they were entitled to," the White House said in a news release.
The remaining $1.2 billion will benefit almost 22,000 borrowers who have a "total or permanent" disability.
How can you sign up?
Biden directed borrowers to StudentAid.gov/SAVE.
How much debt has been wiped off to date?
The White House said this week's announcement means that the Biden administration has now forgiven $127 billion in debt for almost 3.6 million borrowers — including almost $42 billion for around 855,000 people who were eligible via income-driven repayments.”
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-borrowers-repayments-rcna119032 NBC News Oct 5
Read more here: https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/white-house-provides-another-9-billion-in-student-debt-relief-as-pandemic-pause-ends/ Missouri Independent Oct 4
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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
**NO MEETING OCT 9 IN COMMEMORATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY**
Join the MOVPC weekly online 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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BE #VOTEREADY FOR EVERY ELECTION!
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.
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 for Nov 7 2023 Election: 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:
Sample Ballot for the Nov 7 Special Election (Jackson County outside Kansas City): 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 **KCEB has moved to 4407 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. KCMO 64130**
Jackson County MO voters outside Kansas City: 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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Planned Parenthood Great Plains
KC Healthy Neighborhood Canvass
Saturday, October 14, 2023
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CT
Front Porch Alliance
3210 Michigan Ave
Kansas City, MO 64109
We are partnering with Front Porch Alliance for this Healthy Neighborhood Canvass! Come knock doors with us to let the KC community know of the comprehensive sexual and reproductive care that Planned Parenthood Great Plains has to offer. We will be handing out flyers, speaking with our community, and educating neighbors on the ways to join our work.
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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
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National Hispanic American Heritage Month
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
For more information go to:
Kansas City Public Library
U.S. Department of State https://www.state.gov/hispanic-heritage-month-2023/#:~:text=During%20National%20Hispanic%20Heritage%20Month,to%20our%20culture%20and%20society
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
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