JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Governor Mike Kehoe will make his first state of the state address today. However, there is a stark difference in the picture he paints from the actual state of Missouri.
The simple truth is that it’s hard to live in Missouri. While the Governor and Legislature are focused on cutting taxes for the richest of Missourians, the rest of the state is left fighting over scraps often leaving us at the bottom.
“Despite spending over $16 billion on health care, maternal and infant care in Missouri is in crisis,” said Kyra Betts, Manager of Policy and Advocacy at Generate Health STL. “Black women are up to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. In 2022 alone, 467 infants in Missouri died before their first birthday, with Black infants facing nearly double the mortality rate of their white counterparts. These devastating statistics highlight systemic inequities that continue to endanger the lives of Black mothers and babies.”
Gov. Kehoe and leadership in the Missouri House and Senate need to be more concerned with the declining economic growth in rural parts of our state rather than party in-fighting and attacks on direct democracy.
“I want the freedom to be myself and earn a good living,” said Ash Judd, Amazon STL8 worker and Missouri Workers Center member. “But racist, conservative lawmakers in Jefferson City are trying to pass laws to divide us and make it harder for us to thrive. They limit our futures while letting corporate donors gouge prices and refuse to guarantee the fair wages and safe working conditions we deserve.”
Rep. Eric Burlison puts Missourians’ jobs and health at risk by sponsoring a repeal to the Inflation Reduction Act
Rep. Burlison has signed on as a co-sponsor of H.R.191 which would repeal the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Rep. Eric Burlison of Southwest Missouri has co-sponsored H.R. 191 to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA marked a turning point for many Missourians by bringing millions of dollars in infrastructure projects, clean energy jobs, and drastically reducing the price of prescription medications and healthcare costs.
In the last two years, the IRA has brought $75 million to Missouri in energy rebates to lower energy costs in homes, $156 Million for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s Solar For All program, and has capped the cost of insulin at $35 impacting more than half a million Missourians living with diabetes.
Nationally the IRA has brought over $265 billion in clean energy investments with an estimated $6.6 billion coming to Missouri by 2030.
“The Inflation Reduction Act brought thousands of good-paying union jobs to Missouri,” said Brandon Flinn, Business Manager, Missouri-Kansas Laborers District Council. “Because of this legislation, our members are working on numerous renewable energy projects, earning family-supporting wages and employing new apprentices who are the next generation for our state’s workforce.”
According to the 2025 MIssouri Diabetes Report by the Department of Health & Senior Services, Missouri adults living in low-income households are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes. For many in Burlison’s district, the reduction in healthcare costs and capped insulin cost from the IRA has been lifesaving.
“As a constituent of Rep. Burlison, I am very disappointed in his decision to co-sponsor this bill,” said David Trippe, Springfield resident. “I am one of many people in District 7 who are on Medicare and have seen the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act. As someone who relies on insulin, the $35 cap has been a huge relief to my family. For years, my prescriptions have been more than $2,000 a years, but because of this bill that’s now the maximum that I will have to pay for the medication that helps me live. I wish Rep. Burlison would have taken seniors and other Medicare recipients into consideration before co-sponsoring this bill.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 6, 2024 Contact: Claire Cook-Callen, claire@claireprogressmo.org
Voters passed Amendment 3 and Proposition A on Tuesday, and they now prepare to defend the will of the people against radical politicians
Jefferson City, MO – In Missouri, voters from Maryville to St. Charles to Cape Girardeau made their voices heard in record numbers. Over 2.9 million Missourians cast their ballots, showing that nothing will stop us from exercising our fundamental right to vote.
Missourians value our freedoms. That’s why Missourians collected signatures to place measures on the ballot that allowed voters to decide their own futures. On Tuesday, Missourians united across race and place to end Missouri’s total ban on abortion and overwhelmingly passed Proposition A to raise Missouri’s minimum wage and require earned paid sick leave.
Voters must now come together to protect the will of the people. While Missourians approved Amendment 3, ending the total ban on abortion in our state, leaders in both the Missouri House and Senate said they intend to “soften” or even wholly overturn voters’ decision on ending the abortion ban.
“State senators hold enormous power in ensuring that when amendments pass at the ballot box they are enacted and go into effect,” said Erin Hill, St. Louis resident and volunteer with Abortion Action Missouri. “We have seen time and time again examples where what we voted for was delayed or dismantled and flat out rejected by state lawmakers.”
Missourians deserve leaders who respect their freedoms: from their freedom to decide if and when they grow our families, to their freedom to vote, to their freedom to earn a good living and have a good life.
“Progress MO will continue to hold elected officials accountable and protect the will of the people,” said Claire Cook-Callen, Director of Campaigns with Progress MO. “In the 2024 Legislative Session, a large bipartisan coalition defeated attempts to end majority rule and attack the initiative petition process. We are prepared to combat all attempts to undermine or mislead Missouri voters.”
Jefferson City, Mo. – Thursday, September 26, marks World Contraception Day, a day centered on the freedom to plan and power to choose when and how to start a family. Unfortunately, Missouri’s U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt have repeatedly voted against protecting access to birth control.
In June, Hawley blocked the passage of the Right to Contraception Act. Hawley makes it clear that he will do anything to keep Missourians from having access to reproductive health care, from doubling down on being 100% pro-life to the work he and his wife have done to ensure families can’t access birth control through their employer.
“We’ve been shouting from the rooftops for years now that they will come for your birth control too – they won’t stop at abortion,” said Heather Lindsy, St. Louis resident and activist. “I never thought I would see in my lifetime that we would actually experience this threat to control our reproductive choices.”
“I stand with women who fight for the ability to decide how to manage their own lives and participation in their own health care,” said Rev. Traci Blackmon, faith leader and registered nurse. “I am not a lawyer, so I don’t try cases. I am not a scientist, so I don’t look for new medicines or new cures. I stay in my lane. All I’m asking is that our legislators stay in their lanes. You are there to listen to your constituents. You are not there to make health care decisions. You are not there to weigh in on our bodily autonomy. Women and birthing people deserve to decide their own health care. Hear us and do as we ask.”
Every individual must be guaranteed the freedom to protect their reproductive health and to plan their family. Missouri needs senators who will listen to us, not rip our health care options away piece by piece.
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri: On Monday, faith leaders and experts held a virtual press conference to discuss the dangers of Christian nationalism and its impact on democracy and society.
The event focused on Senator Josh Hawley’s alarming pronouncement at the National Conservative Convention on July 8th, in which he declared, “Some will say now that I am calling America a Christian nation. So I am. And some will say that I am advocating Christian nationalism. And so I do.”
The press conference featured Rev. Nathan Empsall, Executive Director of Faithful America, a leading expert on Christian nationalism, Rev. Phil Snider, Brentwood Christian Church, and other prominent Missouri leaders.
Rev. Nathan Empsall, Executive Director of Faithful America, said, “Christian nationalism is unchristian and unpatriotic. It is an authoritarian ideology that unconstitutionally and unbiblically merges Christian and American identities, declaring that democracy does not matter because only conservative Christians count as true Americans. Senator Hawley’s recent remarks are a stark reminder of how this dangerous rhetoric seeks to divide and alienate, undermining our democratic values and threatening religious freedom. It is imperative that we stand against this ideology and advocate for a vision of faith that promotes love, justice, and equality for all.”
Rev. Phil Snider, Brentwood Christian Church of Springfield, said, “Christian nationalism stands in stark contrast to the core values held by Missourians. Our faith communities are diverse and inclusive, embracing the richness of different beliefs and backgrounds. Senator Hawley’s rhetoric not only undermines these values but also threatens the very fabric of our democracy. We must stand united against any ideology that seeks to divide and alienate, and instead, champion a vision of faith that promotes love, justice, and equality for all.”
Rev. Molly Housh Gordon, Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia, said, “As a Unitarian Universalist, my tradition is descended from the Puritan settlers who fled religious persecution in Europe and who knew in their bones that religious freedom is essential to all of our other freedoms.
“True faith cannot be coerced or mandated by a government. “Our incredible variety is the greatest strength of our nation, and my faith is made richer by encountering those of other traditions.”
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri: On Monday, faith leaders and experts will hold a virtual press conference at 11 AM CT to discuss the dangers of Christian nationalism and its impact on democracy and society.
The conference will focus on Senator Josh Hawley’salarming pronouncement at the National Conservative Convention on July 8th, in which he declared, “Some will say now that I am calling America a Christian nation. So I am. And some will say that I am advocating Christian nationalism. And so I do.”
The press conference will feature Rev. Nate Empsall, Executive Director of Faithful America, a leading expert on Christian nationalism, Rev. Phil Snider, Brentwood Christian Church, and other prominent Missouri leaders.
When: Monday, July 15, 2024, 11:00 AM CT
Who:
Rev. Nate Empsall
Rev. Phil Snider, Brentwood Christian Church
Other Missouri faith leaders
Why:
Recent remarks by Senator Josh Hawley have sparked a renewed discussion on Christian nationalism. This press conference provides context and expert opinions on why Christian nationalism poses a threat to democracy and our way of life.
How to Join: Contact Claire Cook-Callen at Claire@progressmo.org for the zoom link.
Hawley fails to man up and bring solutions to the table, use his power to make the state better
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After nearly six years of representing Missourians in the United States Senate, Josh Hawley continues to ignore the needs and concerns of most Missouri families. Hawley’s biggest concern? Himself and how he looks.
Hawley regularly takes to Twitter to complain about the status of America’s crumbling infrastructure; however, on numerous occasions he has cast votes against funding projects to fix our roads and bridges. He even went so far as to refuse to request funds for Missouri-based projects.
So why does he bring up infrastructure? Because most Missourians want our roads and bridges fixed, and it’s easier for him to point out a problem than to accept blame for its existence.
“Senator Hawley only cares about Missourians and the things that impact us most when it will benefit him politically,” said Bill Thompson, of Stand Up KC and the Missouri Workers Center. “For years he has disparaged unions and called for a fight against public sector labor unions. But when most of the country stood alongside actors, writers, auto workers, and baristas, Hawley suddenly changed his tune.”
“Hawley has perfected the artform of flipping on an issue to gain publicity and maybe even a few votes,” says Liz McCune, Executive Director of Progress MO. “He constantly says one thing to Missourians and then goes back to his mansion in DC to do another. Missourians don’t need a leader who just jumps on bandwagons. We need a leader who will listen to what we say and stand up for us in Washington.”
Sen. Josh Hawley has raised his fist in support of many things in the past. It’s clear, the only thing Missourians can really trust Hawley to support is himself.
Welcome back to Under the Dome, your weekly update on the goings-on of the Missouri state legislature.
Stranger and stranger things: The dome appears to be stuck in The Upside Down as legislators gleefully strip voters of rights
The Missouri House thumbed its nose at Missouri voters this week and moved SJR74 forward, taking another step toward upending majority rule as the Show Me State has known it for more than 100 years.
The House Elections Committee heard from more than 800 Missourians across the political spectrum on the topic – in person and in written comments. Only 27 voiced support for the measure, though that didn’t stop committee members from moving forward with taking away voters’ rights anyway.
The legislation would require a statewide majority AND majority vote in five of the state’s eight congressional districts to pass a constitutional amendment through the initiative petition process or a state convention. This could mean a fraction of the population – as few as 23%, according to a Missouri Independent analysis – could override the will of the majority.
“I am dismayed that politicians in Jefferson City are attacking our deepest held democratic ideals by aggressively pushing forward changes to the initiative petition process despite overwhelming opposition to these changes voiced by Missourians like me,” said Beth Franklin, a U.S. Army veteran and Missouri native from Plattsburg.
The next step for the legislation is the Senate, but the earliest that will happen is after legislators enjoy the week off for spring break.
Before the House committee passed the resolution, SJR74 sponsor Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman urged the body to restore so-called “ballot candy,” showing once again that Coleman recognizes Missourians won’t easily give up their rights without a slight of hand.
State budget proposal cuts higher ed, child care funding
Meanwhile, the top House budget negotiator unveiled a pared-down version of Gov. Mike Parson’s spending proposal Thursday, saying his plan funnels less money to colleges and universities in exchange for more money for road building.
In January, Parson called on lawmakers to approve a $53 billion spending blueprint that includes raises for Missouri school teachers, a 3% boost in funding for colleges and universities and more money for child care programs.
Rather than a 3% bump, House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith is calling for a 2% increase.
The proposal also contains fewer dollars to expand child care availability in the state. Smith suggested that there is less need for child care than the governor and business groups believe.
The spending plan also includes $4 million to boost minimum teacher pay to $40,000 annually, up from the current national low of $25,000.
Smith also inserted $8 million in the package to pay for Parson’s decision to send Missouri National Guard troops to help patrol the nation’s southern border in Texas.
As reported in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the House version was released on the legislature’s final day before a weeklong spring break that marks the unofficial midpoint of an annual session scheduled to end May 17.
Child marriage: Still a thing in Missouri
Finally, two Missouri legislators held a press conference this week to try to convince their colleagues that child marriage is a bad thing and should be outlawed. Currently, minors who are 16 or 17 can get married in Missouri with parental consent.
“Clear and simple, child marriage is the legalization of child rape,” State Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Democrat from Kansas City, told KCUR. “Raising the marriage age to 18, it’s not just legislative action. It’s a moral imperative.”
Some Missouri schools have banned graphic novels featuring superheroes like Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Fantastic Four, and X-Men: Age of X. Anthologies of comics like Why Comics?: From Underground to Everywhere and 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die have also been banned. Comics are apparently far too serious for Missouri kids to handle.
History
School districts around Missouri gained national attention for banning Maus, the award-winning collection of graphic novels about the Holocaust. Similar books about the Holocaust, like Holocaust Rescue and Liberation and Holocaust Resistance have also been banned.
Schools have also banned Annie Leibovitz At Work, which features photos of major historic events, like President Nixon’s resignation, Bosnia’s fight for independence, and President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
Art
Missouri’s book bans have gotten such terrifying titles as 50 Artists You Should Know, 50 Paintings You Should Know, and 50 Sculptures You Should Know.
Kids in Missouri shouldn’t just avoid looking at art, but also making it: schools have banned titles like Complete Guide to Drawing and Painting.
Renowned Classics About Overzealous Oppressive Governments Like 1984 and TheHandmaid’s Tale
Missouri’s book bans included graphic novel depictions of George Orwell’s dystopian classic 1984 – where the government controls ideas and speech – as well as Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed TheHandmaid’s Tale.
But seriously… is this an SNL skit or is this real life? Do legislators not see the irony?
This Labor Day weekend, families across Missouri will celebrate the working conditions afforded to us by labor movements – especially the 40-hour work week and safe and healthy workspaces.
Missourians who are paid more are more likely to have access to paid sick leave, but that just doesn’t make sense. All workers get sick, and so do their families. If managers and executives get paid sick leave, so should every single employee.
If you work hard, you shouldn’t have to worry about missing bills or losing your job because you get sick or need to take your kids to the doctor. But in Missouri, some workers face the choice between their livelihoods and their family’s health every day.
We can make life better for working families in Missouri. Over 135 countries and 14 U.S. states mandate paid sick days for workers. It’s time we add Missouri to the list.
While it’s important to celebrate the accomplishments we’ve made, the best way to celebrate our workers is by investing in their futures.
