Geez, Louise! The Missouri legislature is now in the 5th week of session and already it’s a doozy for women.
Have you heard that it’s a Presidential Election year? If not, the number of anti-women bills should be a clue. How about these?
* HB1714 – Rep. Tila Hubrecht (R-Dexter) – Establishes the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Act (public House hearing today Feb. 2)
* HB1794 – Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) – “All Lives Matter Act” – Personhood begins at conception/ fetuses are people
* HB1815 – Rep. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester) – Establishes Abortion Ban for Gender Selection & Genetic Abnormalities Act (similiar to SB802)
Never mind the Texas indictments of the makers of the fake anti-Planned Parenthood videos…
As you might expect, the sham “Planned Parenthood Witch Hunt” interim House hearings produced a report to the Speaker which insists that that the Missouri Attorney General’s investigation completely clearing Planned Parenthood of any wrong doing is not sufficient.
An excerpt from Children & Families Chair Rep. Diane Franklin (R-Camdenton) report cover letter to Speaker Richardson:
Why should a federal indictment of the video makers by a grand jury convened by a GOP prosecutor make any indifference to the Missouri GOP?
Because the interim committee report was such a complete sham, we Democratic minority interim committee members issued OUR OWN report last week – a move allowed by House Rule 35 which is rarely done. CLICK HERE TO READ OUR FULL REPORT.
Our report includes this:
And there’s more…
Already the GOP controlled legislature is swiftly advancing their 10 year fight of voter supporession. Voter ID bills (including the constitutional amendment which would go straight to the 2016 ballot) have passed the Missouri House and Senate versions are having committee hearings today.
We know that Voter ID proposals ARE voter suppression. They hurt primarily the elderly, disabled, low income workers who use public transportation, transgender voters and out of state college students —-AND primarily women (who have name changes more often). Read the Kansas City Star editorial which spells it out simply —-Here’s Who Loses With Missouri’s Latest Voter ID Proposals.
Can you stand to read more?
I hope you’re sitting down for this. Of course the GOP has to have a gun lobby bill for presidential year voter turnout…
* SB731 – Senator Brian Munzlinger – Allows concealed guns on college campuses (Senate hearing completed last week).
Great idea that 19 year olds can carry concealed weapons to class, to football games and to fraternity parties, right? Every Missouri public university and law enforcement testified NO. But the real kicker is IF colleges opt out of allowing concealed weapons, they must provide security at every entrance of every building on campus. The estimated pricetag if they opt out? An estimated 1 billion dollars. I am so not joking. Seriously.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FIGHT BACK :
It pains me to say this but with the legislature we have now? There’s not much we can do right now except…
STEP #1: MAKE SURE YOU’RE REGISTERED TO VOTE
Because that’s where this all begins —on Election Day. Check out your Missouri voter registration HERE. If you’re not registered to vote in Missouri where you currently live, DO IT NOW ONLINE.
STEP #2: MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE VITAL ELECTIONS
Tuesday, March 15 – MO Presidential Primary
Tuesday, April 5 – Municipal Elections (mayors and local elected who tend to run for higher office
Tuesday, August 2 – MO Primary (when most legislators are essentially elected
Tuesday, November 8 – MO General Election (practically everybody else on the ballot)
STEP #3: CONTACT THOSE IN OFFICE WHO ARE MAKING DECISIONS NOW
Senate President ProTem Ron Richard – ron.richard@senate.mo.gov
Speaker Todd Richardson – todd.richardson@house.mo.gov
Children and Families Chair, Rep. Diane Franklin – diane.franklin@house.mo.gov
STEP #4: RALLY YOUR TROOPS
Forward this email to every progressive friend you have —including those on Facebook and Twitter. You have friends, we know you do. This MUST be a collective effort because believe me, THEY are organized and think we’re not paying attention
Just who is PROGRESSWOMEN again?
ProgressWomen began as a project December 2014 through my legislative office after women kept asking “What can I do to get involved?” We are now a collective of over 1000 women statewide (and growing) who are sick and tired of the attacks on women & families in Missouri. Check us out online. Open up your address book & refer us every progressive woman you know. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @ProgressWomenUs & friend us on Facebook @ProgressWomen.
“It’s going to take a village”. You in?