I’m not kidding.
$20,000 per day of your taxpayer dollars in order to a) repeal the St. Louis City reproductive anti-discrimination ordinance (how on earth does that affect any other community?) and b) pass more unconstitutional restrictions on abortion providers.
Rep. Barnes (R-Jefferson City) said in the House hearing last Wednesday that his bill, HB6 – “is the legislative response to the U.S. District Court’s decision” (injunction against Missouri’s current Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers).
Does that make any sense? A federal judge strikes down our current unconstitutional restrictions so the Governor & the GOP demand we pass more?
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LOVE HOW LAWS ARE MADE (YES, LIKE SAUSAGE OR EVEN WORSE)? DIG IN…
Tuesday June 14th: The Senate heard 3 GOP bills sponsored by Senators Bob Onder (St. Charles), Bob Dixon (Springfield) and Koenig (St. Louis County in a nonstop hearing lasting over 5 hours with numerous witnesses testifying against – including Drs Colleen McNicholas and Caitlin Parks, NARAL Prochoice Missouri, ACLU of Missouri, Planned Parenthood and Robin Utz who told her painful pregnancy loss story.
Wednesday, June 15th: The House Children & Families Committee heard 4 GOP bills – HB3 (Swan -Cape Girardeau), HB6 (Barnes – Jefferson City), HB7 (Franklin – Camdenton) and HB9 (Kelly -Mountain Grove) in a SEVEN hour hearing with no breaks. HB’s 7 and 9 were voted out during a quick Executive Session and sent to a oversight Rules Committee.
Meanwhile the Senate delayed their session Wednesday from 9am until midnight when they passed SB5 (Koenig – R, St. Louis County) with no debate by a vote of 20-6. Good news – the emergency clause of the bill (which would make the bill take effect immediately upon signing rather than 90 days later) failed to receive a two-thirds required majority vote. The Special Session had been called for Sen. Onder’s legislation but after hours of negotiation all day Wednesday, by complete surprise his bill died!
Monday , June 19th: The House Children & Families Committee is noticed up to meet at 11am in Hearing Room 3 to hear SB5. They are also scheduled to vote out HB3 and HB6 which are expected to be amended. The oversight Rules Committee is noticed up to meet at 2pm in Hearing Room 7 or 30 minutes upon adjournment of Children & Families Committee
Tuesday, June 20th: The House is expected to meet at 10am for full debate on SB5 and any House bills referred from the Rules Committee. If no amendments are added to SB5 – it will go directly to the Governor. If the bill is amended, it will need to go back to the Senate for additional votes.
Thursday, June 22nd: The Senate is noticed to convene at 9am for potential debate.
Please check www.House.mo.gov and www.Senate.mo.gov daily for updated notices.
Anticipated: NINE Days of the 2nd Extraordinary Session at an estimated cost of $160K. Just peachy, right?
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FAITH LEADERS FIGHT BACK
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the St. Louis Jewish Light published several days ago what I think of our Reform Jewish Governor’s stance on women & reproductive rights: ‘Greitens uses religion, women as political tools”.
Today a powerful group of St. Louis faith leaders released a powerful video, #WhatisProLife Missouri – in response to the Governor’s political ploy of using religion and women: WATCH IT HERE.
(L to R) Reverend Dr. Deborah Krause of Eden Theological Seminary, Rabbi Andrea Goldstein of Congregation Shaare Emeth, Reverend Karen Anderson of Ward Chapel AME Church, Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation and Reverend Traci Blackmon of Christ the King United Church of Christ
Share it widely. Make your own.
Tell Governor Greitens (Twitter @EricGreitens) and everyone else exactly WHAT YOU THINK.
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WOMEN & LOVERS OF WOMEN STORMED THE CAPITOL WEDNESDAY: “PEOPLE’S SPECIAL SESSION” & HEARING
Supporters packed the Capitol Rotunda for the “People’s Special Session” and at the same time packed the SEVEN HOUR non-stop House Hearing room.
A fabulous group of witnesses testified against the FOUR House bills which are clearly punitive towards women: St. Louis City Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia – co-sponsor of the city anti-discrimination ordinance; Burt Newman, JD – constitutional attorney (yes, my husband); Anna Shabsin, JD – Wash U Brown School professor; Linda Raclin, JD – Wash U Brown School professor; Dr. Marta Perez – Wash U Medical OB-GYN resident; Rabbi Jonah Zinn – Congregation Shaare Emeth ; Kirstin Palovick – NARAL Prochoice Missouri; Ellen and her daughter Melissa Alper – National Council of Jewish Women, St. Louis; Allie Rubin – Wash U Medical student; Ian Mackey, JD – St. Louis; and Sally Hunt – St. Louis.
Excellent note taking from witness Linda Raclin:
Meanwhile, upstairs in the Capitol Rotunda, hundreds held their own “People’s Special Session”. Read all about the speakers & sponsors HERE: Greitens Called a Special Session. So Missourians Did Too.
Afterwards they met outside the Governor’s Door on the 2nd floor to do some more “Woman-Splaining”.
WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO RIGHT NOW
1) ASKS from Planned Parenthood:
Please call 1-573-880-4600 which will connect you to either a State senator who voted wrong on SB5 or the governor if your State Senator is opposed to SB5.
This effort targets the senate as we are concerned about House efforts to add in some of the restrictions that you helped negotiate out. Letters to the editor all around the state would be super helpful. You can also take online action HERE via www.ppmissouri.org.
2) SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!
PLEASE STAY TUNED —I WILL UPDATE AS OFTEN AS I CAN.
GET YOUR UTERUS GEAR TOGETHER & HELP US PROTECT MISSOURI’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN DANGER.
