12/05/22 Missouri Mondays- Speak up for MO public libraries! Secy of State Ashcroft’s proposed rule!
Speak up for MO public libraries! Secy of State Ashcroft’s proposed rule threatens access to books, resources! Find news, events, & actions to make a difference this week!
Welcome to another Missouri Mondays and another busy week of important events and actions. Your voice is needed NOW for our public libraries! A proposed state rule from MO Secretary of State John Ashcroft threatens access to books and resources and gives control to the state and activist groups. Thanks for all you do to help protect our freedoms!
Protect Your Freedom to Read: Speak Up On Proposed Rule “Library Certification Requirement for the Protection of Minors.”
A proposed administrative rule from Missouri Secretary of State John R. Ashcroft threatens to reduce community access to public library books and other resources. This measure would take choices out of the hands of individuals and families, instead giving inappropriate control to the state and activist groups. It would also put restrictions on the open exchange of ideas, stories, and experiences. Read Secy of State Ashcroft’s proposed rule here: https://kclibrary.org/sites/default/files/15_CSR_30_200_015.pdf
How will Secy Ashcroft’s proposed rule impact Missouri’s public libraries and you?
Have questions about how Secretary of State Ashcroft’s proposed rule might impact the Kansas City Public Library, its patrons, as well as libraries and communities across the state? We've collected some questions and answers we hope will help. Find answers and additional details here: https://www.kclibrary.org/blog/missouri%E2%80%99s-proposed-rule%E2%80%99s-impact-you-and-your-library-explained
Take Action! Make Your Voice Heard!
A 30-day window for public input runs through WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 14. With no full hearing scheduled, we urge everyone in our community and state to respond!
Contact the secretary of state’s office during this public comment period and speak up for your right to read. Share why you want to continue to make your own reading choices, push back against efforts to remove books from shelves, and reject policies that target libraries and educators for serving all people in our community.
Email comments to: comments@sos.mo.gov with the proposed rule number, 15 CSR 30-200.015, in the subject field. Sample script: “I'm writing regarding the proposed rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 - Library Certification Requirement for the Protection of Minors.”
Mail comments to: Missouri Secretary of State, P.O. Box 1767, Jefferson City, MO 65102
NATIONAL NEWS
“U.S. House Democrats make history electing first Black party leader in Congress”
“The three U.S. House Democrats who have led their party through four presidencies and thousands of floor votes formally passed the torch to the next generation Wednesday, when the party gathered behind closed doors to elect its top leaders for the 118th Congress.
House Democrats named Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, as their leader. Jeffries, 52, will make history as the first Black lawmaker to lead any party in Congress. Katherine Clark, 59, of Massachusetts, was elected as whip, and Pete Aguilar, 43, of California, a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, as caucus chair. The trio will take over in January when Congress convenes for the next session and Democrats move into the minority.
All three leaders-elect ran uncontested, solidifying a smooth transition that’s been on the horizon for years, but didn’t move forward until Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she’d step aside from leadership earlier this month. Pelosi, 82, will remain in Congress under the honorific title “Speaker Emerita.”
Full story here: https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/30/u-s-house-democrats-make-history-electing-first-black-party-leader-in-congress/
~~~~~
“Same-sex marriage protected under bill passed by U.S. Senate with GOP support”
“The U.S. Senate approved legislation Tuesday that would enshrine protections for same-sex and interracial marriages, codifying many of the rights that would disappear if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn those landmark decisions the way it overturned the nationwide right to an abortion this summer.
The 61-36 bipartisan vote sends the bill back to the U.S. House, where lawmakers expect to give it their final stamp of approval soon, before sending it to President Joe Biden. The House voted 267-157 in July to approve the original bill, but must vote again after a bipartisan group of senators added in religious liberty protections.”
Retiring Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, retiring North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, West Virginia’s Shelley Moore Capito, Maine’s Susan Collins, Iowa’s Joni Ernst, Wyoming’s Cynthia Lummis, Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, retiring Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Utah’s Mitt Romney, Alaska’s Dan Sullivan, North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Indiana’s Todd Young voted for the bill. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., voted against the bill.”
Full story here: https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/29/same-sex-marriage-protected-under-bill-passed-by-u-s-senate-with-gop-support/
~~~~~
“Democrats strip Iowa of first-in-the-nation prize, tap South Carolina for first primary”
“Voters in South Carolina would go first in picking Democratic presidential nominees, followed by Nevada, New Hampshire, Georgia and Michigan if their states go along with a proposal a key Democratic National Committee panel approved Friday.
The Rules and Bylaws Committee’s nearly unanimous voice vote proposes moving the Democratic primary’s earliest election date away from the longtime first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, though New Hampshire would maintain an early role and vote just a week after South Carolina. President Joe Biden, who in 2020 didn’t win a primary until South Carolina, had requested the major shakeup in the party’s presidential nomination process.
Full story here: https://missouriindependent.com/2022/12/02/democrats-strip-iowa-of-first-in-the-nation-prize-tap-south-carolina-for-first-primary/ Missouri Independent Dec 2
~~~~~
“3 takeaways from the big early voting numbers in Georgia’s Senate runoff”
“More than 1 million people have voted early in the Georgia runoff between Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker — a sign of strong turnout ahead of Tuesday’s contest.
Nothing about early vote numbers guarantees an election outcome, with millions more eligible to vote in-person on Tuesday. And there are still votes being cast today, the last day of early in-person voting, while absentee ballots can also be returned through Election Day. But there are several key themes that have emerged as Georgians trudged back to the polls just weeks after an intense midterm campaign ended everywhere else in the country.
Spurred by a condensed runoff period, early voting totals have set records, and it has been especially strong in heavily Black parts of the state and Democratic strongholds. The high turnout suggests that Election Day voting will once again be busy in the state, though it’s hard to estimate exactly where turnout will end up Tuesday night.”
Read full story here: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/02/georgia-senate-runoff-early-voting-00071944
Politico Dec 2
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 today MONDAY Dec 5 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!
~~~~~
MAKE CALLS FOR GEORGIA RUNOFF!
VIRTUAL PHONE BANK FOR RAPHAEL WARNOCK!
Hosted by Georgia Votes
Monday and Tuesday December 5 & 6
Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/488467/
We are excited to ‘Keep Our Dem Senate’ with Reverend Warnock! You’re invited with front-row seats! From now until our big win on December 6th we will have phone bank events that welcome amazing volunteers and special groups across the U.S. + abroad!
NEW TO CALLING WITH US?
No problem! We will host a training at the start of every shift, just sign up here to get the Zoom information and one of our organizers or trusted volunteers will be able to help!
WHAT YOU NEED
Please come prepared with: A computer or smartphone / Headphones, recommended for comfort and ease of use!
~~~~~
Missouri Jobs with Justice End of Year Party
Mix, Mingle, & Celebrate in Person!
Tuesday, December 6
6:00 PM
IBEW Local 124
301 E 103rd Terrace
Kansas City, MO
RSVP here: bit.ly/KCparty2022
We're thrilled to be back in person this year! Join us for our annual end-of-year party to celebrate all the work we did together this year. Food and beverages provided.
Missouri Jobs with Justice - Building transformative power for social, racial, and economic justice in Missouri!
Empower Missouri Kansas City Holiday Happy Hour
Tuesday, December 6th, 4:00 PM
The Combine
2999 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64109
Register for the KC Happy Hour here: https://secure.everyaction.com/Un254wxmHE6Id7FZ4cCp1g2
This December, join Empower Missouri staff, coalition members, and other advocates for a Holiday Happy Hour! We'll be previewing legislation that has been pre-filed and discussing our priorities for the 2023 session. You'll also have the opportunity to be in community with other advocates and learn about the anti-poverty work happening across our coalitions. Happy Hours will be held in Springfield, Kansas City and St. Louis, with a suggested registration fee of $15 to cover the cost of appetizers and a drink ticket.
~~~~~
VOTING RIGHTS AT SUPREME COURT
Supreme Court of the United States
Moore v. Harper Oral Arguments
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Listen live here: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx
Moore v. Harper, the latest North Carolina redistricting case to be heard by the US Supreme Court, could hand state legislators the power to manipulate our elections and undermine our votes. State courts and governors could not stop them.
In Moore, North Carolina lawmakers argue state legislatures should have near absolute power to run federal elections, with no checks and balances from the courts.
North Carolina lawmakers base their case on the ‘independent state legislature theory’ (ISLT), an extreme idea being pushed by a fringe group of politicians hoping to prevent responsive voting maps and fair election rules.
Moore could pave the way for:
Widespread purges of voters from voting rolls
Dramatic cuts to popular early voting and vote-by-mail options
Discriminatory barriers to voting access
Baseless challenges to fair election results
Fewer protections against voter intimidation.
Rigged voting maps
The arguments made in Moore are desperate and dangerous, demanding the U.S. Supreme Court reverse centuries of practice and precedent — including decisions the Court itself made only three short years ago.
It’s time to put people over politics. Together we will educate our communities, tell our stories, organize with tens of thousands of new advocates, and make opposition to Moore’s attack on our democracy felt from church basements to busy boardrooms to the neighborhood ballot box. From there, we can build a visionary platform for the representation and resources our communities deserve.
Get the Moore v. Harper Toolkit from Common Cause/Southern Coalition for Social Justice here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LHYB6wxzCxG9vXcLCkfH0vVO4jTwH7Gr5uU-oKgs784/edit
More about Moore v. Harper from Common Cause North Carolina here: https://www.commoncause.org/north-carolina/moore/
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14HpH5DEyQLfhUka4wAoWBGURkmNrdKRk9PeJY2n9-V8/edit
~~~~~
Jackson County Democrats Holiday Party
Thursday, December 8th
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Pipefitters Local 533
8600 Hillcrest
Kansas City, MO
RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2388055284703756/
The Jackson County Democratic Committee cordially invites you to the annual JCDC Holiday Party this Thursday December 8th at the Pipefitters Local 533. Food and beverages provided. Please RSVP here and share this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2388055284703756/ Hope to see you there!
~~~~~
TAKE ACTION TO HELP END GUN VIOLENCE WITH EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY AND MOMS DEMAND ACTION MO
Every day, more than 110 people in America are killed with guns. We’re counting on people like you to take actions that will help us pass common-sense laws and implement policies that will save lives. Find actions you can take now to help end gun violence: https://www.everytown.org/actions/
Action is the counterweight to apathy. We can reclaim our safety and save lives by taking action to end gun violence. Join Moms Demand Action volunteers in Missouri who are working to make our communities safer by texting READY to 644-33.
~~~~~
DONATE OR FIND HELP IN KC METRO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
Here's where Kansas Citians can donate — and receive — food and gifts this holiday season. The holiday season already has enough stress, and inflation is only adding more. We put together a list of resources if you find yourself in need of assistance, or if you're in a position to help out.
Find ways to give or find services here: https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-11-25/kansas-city-food-gift-donation-2022-holidays-christmas-hanukkah KCUR Nov 25
~~~~
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
