In week 4 of the 2023 Regular Session for Missouri’s General Assembly, Committees heard Republican-sponsored bills attacking trans children and the Ballot Inititiative.
On Tuesday, January 24 dozens of opponents of Republican-sponsored anti-trans legislation traveled to Missouri’s Capitol to voice opposition to proposed measures attacking trans children, drag shows, and LGBTQ citizens in general. Sponsors of these bigoted bills presented little in the way of support for their legislation and couldn’t be bothered to respect the testimony of many, many opponents of these measures- including children, parents, providers, and educators who would be directly affected as a result.
You can view video of the Committee meeting and testimony here:
https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00325/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20200831/-1/7645
Also discussed in Committee were measures intended to make it more difficult to certify and pass a Ballot Initiative. Testimony for this hearing can be found here:
https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00325/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20200831/-1/7642
Republicans hold a supermajority in Missouri’s General Assembly- 52/111 in our State House and 10/24 in our State Senate. In order for House bills to be considered they must be referred to Committee by the (Republican) Speaker of the House. As of today, out of 123 bills referred to Committee only 8 Democratic-sponsored bills have been moved. Democrats hold 32% of the seats in the House but only 6% of the bills referred to Committee so far have been Democrat-sponsored. 80 votes are required for a bill to pass the Missouri House- Republicans hold 111 seats. I cannot stress how important it is for Democrats to pick up seats in our State Legislature- especially in light of the likelihood that the Ballot Initiative may become more difficult to utilize as a means to institute more progressive policies in Missouri.
TEAMKIEHNE growth strategy of the week: “Each one reach one”
Please consider introducing us to one person that you know in your community that might be interested in becoming more aware of and involved in supporting Democratic values. In 2023 we’re working on developing a rapport with HD88 voters and building a strong network of support throughout the District.
You can contact TEAMKIEHNE at 636-324-3570, info@johnkiehne.com, or by messaging on social media at @kiehneformissouri.
This seems to be a fair summation of the Missouri GOP’s policy priorities so far this Session.
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ACTION STEPS FOR THE WEEK OF 1/30/2023:
Call the Elections and Elected Officials Committee and tell them to vote NO on any changes to the Initiative Petition Process. Republicans are attacking Missourians’ right to direct democracy, to check the power of their elected officials when those officials refuse to pass popular legislation.
House District 88 voters supported Ballot Initiative-approved policies like rejecting Right to Work, expanding Medicaid, raising the Missouri Minimum Wage, Campaign Finance Reform (CLEAN), and legalizing Medicinal and Recreational Marijuana- while at the same time voting for Republican politicians who oppose these measures! Without the Ballot Initiative process HD88 voters- and Missouri voters- would not have seen changes to these policies in the State of Missouri- partially due to the fact that they continue to elect Republican politicians who oppose the values and policies that they support. We have to fix that by informing and persuading voters to vote for Democratic candidates who support the policies that they support and that actually benefit Missouri residents!
The hearing regarding changing the rules governing Ballot Initiatives will take place Tuesday, January 31st, at 12pm in hearing room 6. You can submit written testimony here.
Elections and Elected Officials Committee Members:
Rep. Peggy McGaugh 573-751-2917
Rep. Dan Stacy 573-751-8636
Rep. Brad Banderman 573-751-0549
Rep. Tricia Byrnes 573-751-1460
Rep. Jeff Coleman 573-751-1487
Rep. Bill Falkner 573-751-9755
Rep. Rodger Reedy 573-751-3971
Rep. Alex Riley 573-751-2210
Rep. Adam Schwadron 573-751-2949
Rep. Justin Sparks 573-751-0562
Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch 573-751-1169
Rep. Ken Waller 573-751-4451
Call your state representative and ask for their support expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year. Ensuring access to quality, affordable healthcare is one way we can utilize our budget surplus to benefit Missourians.
The Emerging Issues Committee in the Missouri Senate will be hearing several anti-trans bills on Tuesday, January 31, 2023- including our own Sen. Ben Brown’s anti-trans bill SB87.
OUR ASK FOR THESE BILLS: Please try to make yourself available to travel to Jefferson City in order to have yet another large show of support for the trans community. Be prepared to add your testimony if your’re comfortable, especially if you have direct experience with this issue. Cis-gendered athletes and coaches opposing these bills are a voice we need. Even if you do not testify, your presence makes a huge difference!
Committee: Emerging Issues, Senator Justin Brown, Chairman
Date: Tuesday, January 31
Time: 10:00 AM
Room: SCR 1
SB 2 – Hoskins
Establishes the “Save Women’s Sports Act” relating to female-only athletics in middles schools, high schools, and colleges
SB 29 – Luetkemeyer
Prohibits an athletic team sponsored by a school from allowing a student to compete in an athletic competition designated for the opposite biological sex
SB 39 – Thompson Rehder
Establishes guidelines for student participation in athletic contests organized by sex
SB 87 – Ben Brown (26)
Establishes the “Save Women’s Sports Act”
SB 165 – Carter
Creates the “Save Women’s Sports Act” and provisions regarding usage of school locker rooms
SB 48 – Moon
Establishes the “Save Women’s Sports Act” relating to female-only athletics in middle schools, high schools, and colleges
Only individuals or organizations testifying in person will be entered into the committee minutes.
Contact information for the House: https://house.mo.gov/MemberRoster.aspx
Contact information for the Senate: https://senate.mo.gov/senators/index
House Hearings: https://house.mo.gov/AllHearings.aspx
Senate Hearings: https://www.senate.mo.gov/hearingsschedule/hrings.htm
Please help us to represent the Welfare of the People for House District 88 by supporting our grassroots campaign today.
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